Featured Image Credit: HIROYA MINAKUCHI/ MINDEN PICTURES/National Geographic Creative
Kiawah, South Carolina is home to thousands of birds, deer, alligators and bobcats. However one of the most popular species of wildlife among both residents and visitors are the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. These animals are lucky to have maintained their natural habitat within Kiawah Island’s maritime forests, beaches, waterways and inlets for hundreds of years.
The Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin is found along the Kiawah River, creeks, and inlets and are frequently seen swimming, hunting, and feeding in packs of a dozen or more. Just recently, a pack of bottlenose dolphins were filmed participating in a practice known as “strand feeding,” which involves a group of dolphins herding a school of fish or shrimp onto a sandbar or beach.
The dolphins literally launch their 500 pound bodies out of the water and onto the sandbar to feed, where they then flop and flip around on the sand getting their feast on. It is truly a sight to see.
This type of practice is typically seen year round, but the special part is that it only takes place in the waters of the Lowcountry. Unlike other species of dolphins, Kiawah’s bottlenose dolphins do not migrate to other regions. Because they live in Kiawah’s waters year round, they have adopted this practice instead of venturing out further into the ocean to hunt with larger, more aggressive species.
As fascinating as it may looks, onlookers should never attempt to engage or touch the dolphins while they are strand feeding. They should be observed with caution. Never approach ANY marine mammal within 50 years. Not only is it against the law, you could disturb their natural behavior-like fishing for dinner.