Adult males will frequently form groups as will adult females. Adolescents also spend time away from the adults. Female adolescents eventually return to the adult female groups, particularly when calving. When a female is giving birth, another dolphin is at her side performing a task similar to midwifery. There is some indication that this is accomplished by the adolescent females, and this may be where they begin to learn mothering skills necessary to ensure the survival of the young.
Many stories abound concerning the idea that dolphins try to save drowning humans.
Such attempts have been poorly documented, but there are some interesting facts that make this behavior possible. Many of the dolphin and whale species are known to respond when they hear distress signals, even of other species. Some are known to attack other animals that are harming another of their kind. And they have shown interest in humans and have made attempts to communicate with us in their own fashion. Surely communication is one of the most fascinating aspects of the dolphins.