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Florida’s waters are part of the worldwide migration route of many whales and dolphins. No one knows exactly why these marine mammals strand but here are some theories (in no particular order):
§Weather: Extreme or turbulent weather can cause animals that are comprised to strand, such as very young or old animals or injured animals.
§Disease: There are many bacterial, fungal and viral diseases that affect dolphins and whales. Marine mammal scientists are learning more with each stranding how and why certain diseases affect these animals.
§Social cohesion: It is believed that if one or more "lead" animals in a pod strand for whatever reason, often times several other (or all) members of the pod will strand. When this happens, it is called a mass stranding.
§Following prey inshore: Sometimes marine mammals will follow their prey too close to shore (like following fish into the mangroves of South Florida, for instance) and get stuck there when the tide moves out or other environmental changes occur or the animal becomes injured.
§Human related: There are many 'human-related' reasons why marine mammals strand. Fisheries interactions, ingesting garbage in their habitat like plastic bags, ballons and other items, as well as vessel collisions all fall under this cause of stranding.
§Out of habitat: Sometimes animals wander away from their normal habitat (whether because of injury, starvation, illness, weather, etc) and will be considered stranded.
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