Hungry dolphins herd mullet into muddy net

WEEKI WACHEE (FOX 13) - In the shallow waters near Weeki Wachee, dolphins hunt for mullet in a fascinating way. And Michael McCarthy from See Through Canoe was lucky enough to catch them in action. 

The dolphins chase the fish into shallow areas where the bottom is covered in a layer of murky mud. Once the mullet are in a group, dolphins swim in circles around the fish, creating a muddy enclosure the fish try to leap from. 

Instead, they leap right into the waiting jaws of a hungry dolphin.

McCarthy witnessed a pair of dolphins readying themselves for the hunt, so he flipped on his camera. The first dolphin can be seen slowly approaching an area, and then rocketing into a circle. The second dolphin swims from the left, almost as if the first was setting the second up for a feast. 

Just as the first dolphin completes the circle, fish begin to appear like popping corn from the center. Both dolphin dive nose first into the buffet. The second dolphin then starts to make a second circular swim to keep the mullet trapped.

Being able to watch animals carry out this kind of complex maneuver is one of the many reasons living in or visiting Florida is such a pleasure.

Take a look at more wildlife videos on the See Through Canoe Facebook page.