The Bottlenose Dolphin, known for its intelligence, has been discovered to have one of the rarest senses among mammals, referred to as the “sixth sense.” This sense may even surpass that of the platypus.
The first study examining the electric field sensing abilities of Bottlenose Dolphins revealed that some individuals of this species are capable of detecting direct current electric fields, which can be generated by sources such as batteries and solar panels.
A Bottlenose Dolphin in the research study. (Photo: JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY).
Bottlenose Dolphins can detect electric fields as weak as 2.4 microvolts/cm, showcasing a superior capability compared to the platypus.
Although this ability is still not on par with that of sharks or rays, the new findings suggest that the capacity to sense electric fields may play a more significant role in the survival of Bottlenose Dolphins than previously understood by humans.
The ability to sense electric fields, often referred to as the “sixth sense,” may allow Bottlenose Dolphins to locate hidden prey and navigate using the Earth’s magnetic field, according to a report published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.
To reach this conclusion, a team of researchers from the University of Rostock (Germany) collaborated with scientists from the Nuremberg Zoo, where two out of six dolphins are Bottlenose Dolphins, to conduct experiments.
In addition to Bottlenose Dolphins, the German experts also discovered that the Guiana Dolphin found along the coasts of Central and South America possesses the ability to sense direct current electric fields.
