New study investigates the environmental cues dolphins use to migrate on the Atlantic coast of North America

Seasonal migration patterns of bottlenose dolphins – what we know for sure? With the changing of the seasons comes the urge to migrate for many animals of the world, whether they be furred, feathered, or even finned. One finned animal in particular, the common bottlenose dolphin, undertakes seasonal migrations each spring and fall, but how the dolphins know when to migrate has not always been clear. It was usually assumed that their southern migration begins when the ocean waters drop in temperature. However, until now there was little evidence to support this and it was largely unknown what factors influence the initiation of dolphin migration. A new study has discovered some of the factors that influence these seasonal migrations.