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NAME: DOLPHIN

SCIENTIFIC NAME:  PHYLUM: CHORDATA; CLASS: MAMMALIA; ORDER: CETACEA; SUBORDER: ODONTOCETI; FAMILY: DELPHINIDAE & PLATANISTOIDEA

LOCATION:  ALL THE WATERS OF THE WORLD.

RECOGNITION FEATURES:  RANGING IN SIZE FROM 1.2-9.5 METERS, DOLPHINS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR SLEEK BODY, AND ELONGATED SNOUT FILLED WITH TEETH.  DOLPHINS RANGE IN COLOR, AS WELL AS SIZE, AND CAN BE FOUND IN PINK, GREY, WHITE, AND THE BLACK AND WHITE ORCAS.  THE MOUTHS OF MANY DOLPHINS—ESPECIALLY THE WELL-KNOWN, BOTTLENOSE—IS SHAPED INTO A KIND OF PERMANENT GRIN, WHICH ADDS TO THE IDEA OF DOLPHINS AS FRIENDLY ANIMALS.
 

DETAILS:

Dolphins still have a place in the hearts of people across the world, and for good reason.  Dolphins are generally thought to be among the most intelligent animals on the planet, and have a very large, well-developed brain, roughly the same size as a human brain, and many scientists feel that the possibility exists that dolphins are roughly as intelligent as humans.  Studies of the cerebral cortex—the part of the brain used for reasoning and thinking—have found it also to be similar to human’s brains.  Dolphins have been observed using tools—breaking off sponges to guard their nose while scavenging—and also teaching their young this technique.  While studies have yet to prove conclusively the level of dolphin intelligence, their behavior and level of socialization is not up for debate. 

Dolphins generally live in small groups of around 12 members, called pods or schools, and have a developed language consisting of a series of clicks, whistles, and other sounds, known as echolocation.  The clicks that are used, many as quickly as 800/second, are used for communication and as sonar, to help them keep direction and located food and other objects.  The sound waves bounce off the object and upon return, are absorbed by the dolphin’s thick lower jaw, then transmitted to the inner ear, and finally, the brain. 

Dolphin pods are highly developed social structures with members taking care of their sick, old, and injured, and the bonding between members can become quite strong.  Members of the pod also work together in instances of hunting.  Dolphins have been observed “corralling” schools of fish, as one or two members of the pod circles around, driving the fish into a tight group, while the other members take turns charging into the mass.  In addition to helping members of their own pod and species, anecdotes exist of dolphins protecting humans and other animals from sharks and other predators.  The members of pods travel side-by-side in order to enhance the use of the echolocation.  Pods can differ in their components.  Some, called ‘bachelor pods’, are made up entirely of old and young males, while a ‘nursery pod’ consists of females and their young.  A ‘nuclear pod’ is made up of a female and a male, and possibly a young dolphin.  Larger pods are typically thoroughly mixed.

Dolphins are mammals, and are similar to whales and porpoises.  These creatures can measure anywhere from 1.2 to 9.5 meters.  The largest dolphin is the misnamed killer whale, or Orca, which lives in waters ranging from the North Artic to Antarctica.  All dolphins are carnivores, living on a diet, typically of fish and squid.  Orcas, however, have a more diverse diet, consuming medium sized fish such as tuna, herring, salmon, and Chinook.  Larger Orcas prey on larger animals, consuming sharks (even great whites), whales, seals, sea lions, and birds.  Orcas are extremely bright hunters, and use many different strategies to capture their prey.  Orcas have been seen vomiting fish on the surface and then killing the birds that come to eat.  Others have been observed working as a team to create a wave to dislodge a seal from a rock as younger pups wait below. 

Dolphins have a close relationship with man, and aside from the movies and TV shows which popularized the animals, these creatures have also been used as therapy treatments for people with psychological and neurological problems.  The military also has conducted tests with dolphins, attempting to teach them to discover undersea mines, and even kill enemy divers. 

Aside from dogs and cats, the most well-known and liked member of the animal kingdom is perhaps the dolphin.  In recent times, the dolphin has been immortalized in television shows, such as “Flipper”, and even in sports teams like the Miami Dolphins, but throughout recorded history, this intelligent and friendly animal has been mythologized.  From the ancient Greeks to the Hindus, images of dolphins have been found on coins and in their writings, and almost always were seen as a sign of good fortune.