Overview of Strand Feeding Behaviors by Estuarine Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops erebennus) in Captain Sams Inlet, South Carolina Marine Mammal Science

Strand feeding is a unique foraging strategy where dolphins chase fish onto the banks in the estuaries around Charleston, SC. During routine monitoring shifts, we analyzed strand feeding at a small inlet between Kiawah and Seabrook Islands to understand trends based on season, tide, group size and location. Between 2018-2021, observers recorded 3,135 strand feeding events over 1,269 field days. Strand feeding was recorded each month over the study period with a 6-month seasonal peak between May-October (p<2.2e-16). Strand feeding occurred the most between the hour before and the hour after low tide (p<2.2e-16). The dolphin's group size varied between 1-6 dolphins with a median group size of 3 (p<2.2e-16). The location (or zone) within the inlet of strand feeding varied with the tidal cycle but showed a strong preference for zones 3 and 4 which had the steepest slopes (11° and 16° respectively) (p<2.2e-16). Strand feeding at this location occurs daily and has proven to be a critical feeding ground for local dolphins who strand feed here. These data show the frequency of this behavior at this site and should support efforts to protect it and provide the dolphins a space to feed undisturbed.