* Sound travels faster in water: Sound travels approximately four times faster in water than in air. This allows dolphins to communicate over long distances and receive signals much quicker.
* Water is a dense medium: The density of water allows sound waves to travel with less energy loss, meaning that dolphin calls can travel further and stay clearer for longer.
* Water is an excellent conductor of sound: Water transmits sound waves very efficiently, which helps dolphins communicate effectively underwater. This is especially important in murky or dark waters where visual communication is limited.
* Dolphins have specialized adaptations for underwater hearing: Dolphins have evolved specialized anatomical structures, such as a melon (a fatty structure on their forehead) and a jawbone that acts as a conductor, which amplify and focus sound waves.
These factors combine to make water a highly effective medium for dolphin communication, allowing them to use a variety of sounds, including whistles, clicks, and pulsed calls, to communicate complex information about food sources, predators, and social interactions.