Do Sharks Eat Dolphins?

The answer to the question Do sharks eat dolphins? is highly variable, depending on the precise species involved. There are over 500 species of sharks contained in Selachimorpha, the superorder/clade that contains all modern shark species. The family Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins) generally includes 37 or 38 recognized species, including the well-known bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and killer whale (Orcinus orca). However, dolphin may also refer to mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), a game fish known for its brilliant color. The short answer to the question Do sharks eat dolphins? is yes. Continue reading to discover which shark species are likely to prey on dolphins and more.

Do Sharks Eat Dolphins?

Sharks are opportunistic carnivores that prey on a wide variety of sea animals and will attack almost any fish smaller than themselves, including dolphins. Of the 500 extant shark species, approximately seven are known to prey on oceanic dolphins, while several shark species actively prey on mahi mahi.

Great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier), bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas), dusky sharks (Carcharhinus obscurus), shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus), sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus), and cookiecutter sharks (Isistius brasiliensis) are known to prey on dolphins. Bottlenose dolphins are their usual targets, primarily because their habitats overlap.

Despite their ability to successfully prey on dolphins, sharks tend to target easier prey, including seals, sea lions, mackerel, tuna, and squid. When they do attack dolphins, sharks typically prey on juveniles or injured dolphins.

Because dolphins live in pods, they can often overpower a single shark by surrounding it and using coordinated defensive behaviors, such as ramming the shark’s soft underbelly or gills, to protect vulnerable members and deter attacks.

While successful kills are rare due to their group defense, studies have determined that approximately 35.5% of resident bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota, Florida, and about 74% of non-calf bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia, bear scars from shark bites.

Which Sharks Eat Mahi Mahi?

Bull sharks, shortfin mako sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks (Carcharhinus longimanus), and blue sharks (Prionace glauca) are known predators of mahi mahi. Mahi-mahi, which are predators themselves, are not easy targets. They use their incredible speed and ability to leap out of the water to escape these larger, powerful sharks. However, there are documented instances of shortfin mako sharks leaping out of the water to catch mahi mahi.

Bull sharks frequently inhabit areas where mahi mahi are being caught and view the hooked fish as an easy meal. Known for their aggressive nature, bull sharks will not hesitate to strike at a hooked mahi mahi, often eating the fish straight off the line and leaving only its head.

Do Dolphins Protect Humans From Sharks? 

Dolphins have a natural instinct to protect their calves and each other from sharks, and evidence suggests this behavior can extend to other species, including humans. Dolphins have been observed forming a circle around swimmers to deter sharks, sometimes even fighting the sharks off.

Among others, there is a well-documented case from 2004 off New Zealand, where dolphins protected four swimmers from a great white shark for about 40 minutes.

Lifeguard Rob Howes and three other swimmers were reportedly protected by a pod of bottlenose dolphins when a great white shark approached them. The dolphins herded the humans into a tight circle and slapped the water, keeping the shark at bay until it swam away.