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Dolphin Gifts

Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in seventeen genera. Dolphins are often regarded as one of Earth's most intelligent animals, though it is hard to say just how intelligent. Comparing species' relative intelligence is complicated by differences in sensory apparatus, response modes, and nature of cognition. Furthermore, the difficulty and expense of experimental work with large aquatic animals has so far prevented some tests and limited sample size and rigor in others. Compared to many other species however, dolphin behavior has been studied extensively, both in captivity and in the wild.

Dolphins are social, living in pods of up to a dozen individuals. In places with a high abundance of food, pods can merge temporarily, forming a superpod; such groupings may exceed 1,000 dolphins.


Dolphin Facts


Dolphin Facts

Dolphins are not fish, they are sea mammals. While dolphins are shaped like fish they do not have gills, and they must surface to breathe air. Dolphins are also warm-blooded and they give live birth and produce milk for their young. All dolphins are in fact toothed whales. There are approximately 32 species of dolphin worldwide. The biggest dolphin is actually the killer whale.

Dolphins grow 4-30 feet long depending on the species. Dolphins and porpoises are often confused with each other. Porpoises look like small dolphins but they have plumper bodies .Porpoises also have a blunt snout rather than a beak like profile. The tails of both dolphins and porpoises are divided into two paddle-like parts called flukes.

Dolphins have two blow holes at the top of their heads. These holes are used for them to breathe. The dolphins surfaces and takes air in through the blow hole, when they go under the water the blow hole closes. Before taking another breath the whale blows out the old air through the blow hole, this sprays the water making it look like a fountain.

Dolphins live in coastal waters and eat fish, crabs and squid.

Dolphins live in schools or small groups. Members of a dolphin school look after one another. Dolphins are high intelligent creatures with a complex communication system. Dolphins communicate with other dolphins using a series of clicks, chirps, and whistles. Dolphins are very social and playful.

Dolphins use echolocation to navigate their underwater playground. Dolphins emit high-pitched clicks then use the echos that bounce-back from objects in the water to determine the location of items.

At one time fisherman used long drifting nets that were several miles long that float near the ocean’s surface. Dolphins, whales, seals and sea turtles would often become caught in the nets and drown. The United Nations has imposed a ban on the use of drifting nets for fishing.

A Dolphin's lifespan is 50 years.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net

Dolphin Gifts

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

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