They may also catch and mark or tag dolphins to tell them apart. One group of bottlenose dolphins that are particularly well known live in Sarasota Bay, Florida. They have been studied since 1970 when a high school student named Randy Wells started observing them. All through college and graduate school he continued his work, using his dolphin research to earn his doctoral degree. Females live in small bands of 3-14 with their calves.
Adult males roam more widely, even joining dolphins in other areas.
Dr. Wells continues his work today and has cooperated with countless other scientists. As scientific knowledge advances, new ways to study these animals are developed. Most recently, the dolphins' genetic structure and blood types have been examined t o try to determine which males are the fathers of the calves. This has not been possible in the past since females mate with many males during the year. Dolphin Communication Animals that live in social groups and cooperate in hunting or group protection have to be able to communicate with each other.