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Features of dolphin
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The purpose of this paper is to distinguish the differences and similarities of Dolphins and Porpoises. "The term porpoise, whale and dolphin are often used interchangeably, but size (specifically length) is the criterion anatomists have generally used to apply the common name whale" (Dudzinski and Frohoff 2008). The paper will further seeks to identify unique characteristics that dolphins and porpoises possess and the manner in which they utilized these unique abilities to obtain food and survive in oceanic waters. Provided are also information in relation to dolphins and porpoises method of communication, description, intelligence and reproduction.
Dolphins and porpoises are known as mammals with each possessing their own unique qualities and differences. Dolphins are known for their unique abilities in communicating, entertaining and fascinating humans. These abilities posses by dolphins pale in comparison when considering the important features of dolphins, all of which allows this mammal to survive in oceanic waters and perform entertaining leaps. Based on the article's information and facts about Dolphins, dolphins is the only mammal that gives birth with the tail first instead of the head and young dolphins remain with their mother for a period of two or three years.
This feature of birthing effects in relation to dolphins prove that the physiology of dolphins are quite unique in their relation to conception and birth. The ability of the young dolphin to stay with their mother two to three years proves that Dolphins are quite independent and have the capacity to survive on its own in oceanic waters. The article further elaborates on some essential features pertaining to dolphins such as the average life expectancy...
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..., such as their size, varying types and aesthetic differences, but regardless of this, they share the common ability to astound, shock and captivate innumerable millions of people who are dazzled by their remarkable intelligence and unique characteristics.
Works Cited
Dudzinski, Kathleen, and Toni Frohoff. Dolphin mysteries: unlocking the secrets of communication. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2008. Print.
"How Are Dolphins and Porpoises Different? | Wonderopolis." Wonderopolis. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. .
"Information and Factsabout Dolphins."Facts about Dolphins. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. .
"Porpoise." Amazing facts about porpoises |OneKind. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. .
Orca whales are the largest members of the dolphin family. Orcas are very curious creatures, they like to sky hop, which is when they poke their heads out of the water and look around, and they can also dive to as much as a hundred feet. These social animals live in pods and stay with them for their whole lives. They are so family oriented that they can may sleep together in a tight circle and have synchronized breathing. Orcas can grow up to thirty-two feet and can weigh nine tons. They typically eat five percent of their body weight and are amazing hunters. The lifespan of an orca in their natural habitat is about fifty years. This lifestyle for them is wonderful because they can swim as far as they want to and are free. Orcas should not be held captive because the capture process is dangerous, it is not good for their health, and their trainers are at risk. Free Willy. Dir Simon Wincer. 1993.Video. Warner Bros Home Video
Analysis of "Mirror Self-Recognition in Bottlenose Dolphins: Implications for Comparative Investigations of Highly Dissimilar Species"
One of the most common dolphins that are found in southern California is the bottlenose dolphin (Kelly). The bottlenose dolphin is mainly found in coastal waters between 45 degrees north and 45 degrees south, also in Northern Europe waters. It is believed that there are two types of bottlenose dolphin regional wise: oceanic form and coastal form. This species is studied the most by biologists (Jefferson). The coastal population lives in fairly open groups with twenty or less in a pod, some groups are found to contain more in open ocean. It is not uncommon for these species to interact and breed with other species, as would a human interact with other diverse humans. The dolphins feeding behavior is adapted to the availability of resources. They sometimes are known to work together to catch fish from large schools, they also trail behind large fishing boats to catch what falls behind (Leatherwood).
Orcinus orca is the scientific name for the massive marine mammal. Orcas are not rare, but have declining numbers in some areas (Martin.) Orcas are found from the Artic Ocean to the Antartic Ocean. (Britannica) They belong to the Delphinidae, or dolphin family, which is the largest of their species. Female orcas grow to be at the most 15 feet, and weigh up to 4 tons, but the males can grow as large as 20-30 feet, and weight up to 8 tons. (Martin) The color of the orca is white in some spots, black on the majority of the body, and gray just behind the dorsal fin. It is white on the chin, belly and the eye. The white patch above the eye is usually mistaken for the eye, and may confuse their prey, but acts as a camouflage for the eye. The name “killer whale” makes people tend to believe that this is a viscious man-eating mammal, yet it is one of the most shrewd, docile and playful species of the marine mammals. The orca is sexually mature at 10-15 years of age, much like humans, which is 12-13 years of age. They tend to mate year round, and is able to have a calf every two years. It is interesting to know that lactation of the mother lasts 12 or more months (Wynne.) The life expectancy of orcas is 45-50 years of age.
Shirihai, H. and B. Jarrett (2006). Whales, Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals of the World. Princeton, Princeton University Press. p.185-188.
An English naturalist Charles Darwin (1802-1882) developed a theory of biological evolution. He studied variation in plants and animals during his five years’ voyage around the world in the 19th century. Darwin studied hundreds of species, which he researches variations between locations. His theory states that all species of organism arise and develop through natural selection. Natural selection is the process of organisms that adapt to their surrounding environment, which tend to survive and produce more offspring. Killer whales are remarked to have evolutionary links from land dwelling organisms, millions of years ago. This paper will display the evolution and natural selection of the killer whale.
them with a certain and peculiar character. With this diversity, we are able to highlight in each
Cetaceans are thought to be some of the most intelligent species on this planet. Popular culture has embraced the idea of cetacean intelligence with shows such as the 1960s hit TV series Flipper, where a dolphin is used to help fight crime. In his comedic science fiction novels, the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, author Douglas Adams suggests that dolphins are the second most intelligent creatures on Earth, behind mice and above humans. Although most scientists would probably argue that humans are the most intelligent species, the behavior and brain size of dolphins and other cetaceans suggests that they too are intelligent. This paper will briefly describe the reason some scientists believe cetaceans are intelligent species and then give examples of scientific studies, which suggest cetacean intelligence. Since bottlenose dolphins and orcas are the most widely studied cetaceans, the survey of field studies will primarily focus on these two species. At the end, this paper provides an argument of why some scientists discredit the high degree of cetacean intelligence.
Despite the vast number of superficial differences
Humpback whales breath voluntarily, unlike humans. Since they have to remember to breath, researchers believe humpbacks sleep by shutting off half of their brain at a time. Like orcas and dolphins, humpback whales have noses at the top of their head called blowholes (Animal Planet). Humpback whale calves do not stop growing until they are ten years old (National Geographic). They breed, give birth and care for their newborn calves in the warm waters of Tonga. Instead of teeth, humpbacks have baleen plates, they are brush-like strands of bristle that trap there food until it is swallowed. They have very odd mouths that curve downwards, like an eternal frown. Humpback whales are amazing marine mammals (Big Animal Expeditions)
The reason we do not go out looking for the differences between them is because some individuals are afraid of any difference that breaks their social norm. Each person is unique in their own way, having vast differences and challenges that they may face to become themselves. These differences and challenges are what bring us together and make up the communities we live in. They could be someones teacher, best friend, sister. or brother, they could even be someones role model.
There are many reasons why dolphins are very intelligent animals, there are 33 different types of marine dolphins, 4 types of river dolphins, and 6 types of porpoises (dolphins are mammals). Some of the dolphinspeople may think they would be whales, because of their looks, but they are dolphins. Dolphins have a strong behavior; they are very social and travel in groups together. They commonly swim in groups of 2-15 . Severalof different groups of dolphins may temporarily join, for several minutes or hours. In the open waters of theocean, some dolphins will leave their group and change associates and adapt with different dolphins threw outtime (Dolphins communication). In the groups, some members will form a strong bond with one another in thepod. The sizes of the groups tend to increase with the water depth of the ocean and the openness of the habitat, this usually happens when protection with strong with each other and foraging st...
However, the diversity between the two is not always as spot on as they think, well, at least initially they don’t. They share characteristics such as independence and responsibility but play particular roles throughout life. Other characteristics that both compare and contrast such as innocence is a factor. And, of course, everyone develops differently with their own episodes as a child and then to become of
have their own unique and distinctive features, even as other features overlap with those of the
Did you know in the world there are more than 90 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises? (WDC) The dolphin is a very important animal to the ocean and there are many different types to discover. In order to learn about dolphins, it is important to discuss where they live, their appearance, and what they eat. Some helpful words to understand are “dorsal fin”, a dorsal fin is the top pointed fin on the dolphins back, “flippers”, a flipper is a flat fin that dolphins use to swim, and “echolocation” is a tool dolphins use to find food by sounds bouncing off of objects (dictionary.com).