Dolphins are perhaps the most intelligent aquatic animals on earth. Thanks to their dynamic social structure, complexity of communication tactics, and emotional intelligence, it is no wonder that dolphins inhabit all of the world's oceans, as well as many freshwater rivers, in the same way that dolphins do. human beings have populated every continent. The cognitive abilities possessed by dolphins are undoubtedly remarkable, and this is what makes them the most intelligent aquatic animals on the planet. The large brain size in mammals has been linked to the number and complexity of social relationships. Dolphins are highly social animals, similar to humans, great apes and other creatures that display high levels of intelligence. They are often observed to have highly dynamic social relationships that intertwine fluidity, flexibility and security. While pod membership can be fluid and flexible in the means to achieve a common goal, other times strong bonds are formed. This can be witnessed by the refusal of dolphins to abandon injured or sick individuals. Within these pods, dolphins maintain safety through their immediate social network of a few close companions and more casual relationships. In these groups, dolphins work together to survive and at the same time look after each other's well-being. Baby dolphins are among the few species that are taught survival skills and culture by their mothers. Mother dolphins teach their calves to hunt through playful movements, pointing gestures and repetitions, often taking up to eight times longer to catch prey. This is done for the purpose of learning the calves to gain knowledge through observation and repetition. This knowledge transfer is commonly referred to as the 't...... middle of paper......royanchecietypublishing.org/content/362/1480/587.short>.Foley, Aoife, et al. “Social structure within the population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) in the Shannon Estuary, Ireland.” Aquatic Mammals 36.4 (2010): 372-381. Biological abstracts. Network. December 1, 2013.Jones, Guenevere J., and Laela S. Sayigh. "Geographical variation in vocal production rates of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins." Marine Mammal Science 18.2 (n.d.): 374-393. Biological abstracts. Network. December 5, 2013.Lusseau, David. “The emergent properties of a dolphin social network.” JSTOR. Np, 07 November 2003. Web. 01 December 2013. .Simard, Peter, David A. Mann, and Shannon Gowans. “Explosive Pulse Sounds Recorded from White-beaked Dolphins (Lagenorhynchus Albirostris).” Aquatic Mammals 34.4 (2008): 464-470. Biological abstracts. Network. December 1st. 2013.