What is your Dolphin IQ?
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Test your Dolphin Knowledge
If you have had the chance to view dolphins in their natural environment leaping, diving, and playing, you definitely get the idea that they are a creature that nature intended to be around forever.
When people are asked to name one of their favorite animals in the water the dolphin always gets very high ratings.
However, although most of us love dolphins, we miss the proper knowledge to protect and take care of these wonderful animals.
For example, we all have seen and enjoyed dolphins jumping and playing happily in water. Not to ruin the fun here, but the reason they often engage in such behaviors isn't to entertain us to cleanse their body from various types of parasites. Did you know that?
When people are asked to name one of their favorite animals in the water the dolphin always gets very high ratings.
However, although most of us love dolphins, we miss the proper knowledge to protect and take care of these wonderful animals.
For example, we all have seen and enjoyed dolphins jumping and playing happily in water. Not to ruin the fun here, but the reason they often engage in such behaviors isn't to entertain us to cleanse their body from various types of parasites. Did you know that?
Are Dolphins intelligent?
Dolphin IntelligenceResearchers will also verify that dolphins are one of the most intelligent creatures out there. Many of them are simply amazed at how well dolphins have been about to learn and to retain information.
They have very large brains, the ability to problem solve, and they have excellent memories. This is why they can easily be trained for shows at places like Sea World.
They also are used for military water operations so find out more about them if you don't have that information. You will find it to be extremely interesting.
Where do Dolphins live?
Most dolphin species live in warm and temperate waters, although there are some species that can adventure to cold waters.
Many people assume that dolphins only live in saltwater. While most of them do - in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, they are also known to live in rivers out there that have freshwater. Many people are surprised find them there.
There are five species of dolphins living in rivers, altough most of them are functionally extinct, remaining only the Pink Dolphin from the Amazon River, also known as Boto. Read a lens about Pink Dolphins
Back to ocean dolphins, they do migrate seasonally so if you are in Calfornia, the Gulf of Mexico, or Florida you can see them annually in large numbers.
Many people assume that dolphins only live in saltwater. While most of them do - in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, they are also known to live in rivers out there that have freshwater. Many people are surprised find them there.
There are five species of dolphins living in rivers, altough most of them are functionally extinct, remaining only the Pink Dolphin from the Amazon River, also known as Boto. Read a lens about Pink Dolphins
Back to ocean dolphins, they do migrate seasonally so if you are in Calfornia, the Gulf of Mexico, or Florida you can see them annually in large numbers.
Dolphins in Rivers...
While most Dolphins live in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, they are also known to live in freshwater rivers. Detailed information about Pink Dolphins: Facts about Pink Dolphins
How was the Dolphin evolution?
Dolphin Evolution
The history of dolphins leaves a great deal that needs to be learned about. However, what is known is that they likely evolved about 10 million years ago. They are considered to be in the same class as whales due to both of them featuring a blow hole on the top of their bodies. This is what allows them to get air and then to return to the water for long periods of time.
Dolphins and whales are classified as Cetaceans. This means that they are mammals most adapted to aquatic life.
Cetaceans are considered as mammals which returned to the ocean after living in land.
The history of dolphins leaves a great deal that needs to be learned about. However, what is known is that they likely evolved about 10 million years ago. They are considered to be in the same class as whales due to both of them featuring a blow hole on the top of their bodies. This is what allows them to get air and then to return to the water for long periods of time.
Dolphins and whales are classified as Cetaceans. This means that they are mammals most adapted to aquatic life.
Cetaceans are considered as mammals which returned to the ocean after living in land.
What do you know about Dolphin anatomy?
Dolphin Dynamic Anatomy
The overall appearance and anatomy of the dolphin is exciting to learn about as well. They have long bodies and they are very fast swimmers.
Dolphins have one or two dorsal fins depending on the species. They have a unique looking tail too that is believed to help them move around freely in the water. They are gray in color and have some blue in them as well.
Some species are dark gray while others are very light in color. The features on the face can be different too such as that of the Bottlenose Dolphin.
Many people assume that when they see a very small dolphin it is young but there are some species that don't get longer than 5 feet. Others are enormous though with a length of more than 18 feet.
Dolphins can range in weight too from less than 100 pounds to about 19,000 pounds. So you will find some of everything in between out there depending on the area where the different species can be found.
The overall appearance and anatomy of the dolphin is exciting to learn about as well. They have long bodies and they are very fast swimmers.
Dolphins have one or two dorsal fins depending on the species. They have a unique looking tail too that is believed to help them move around freely in the water. They are gray in color and have some blue in them as well.
Some species are dark gray while others are very light in color. The features on the face can be different too such as that of the Bottlenose Dolphin.
Many people assume that when they see a very small dolphin it is young but there are some species that don't get longer than 5 feet. Others are enormous though with a length of more than 18 feet.
Dolphins can range in weight too from less than 100 pounds to about 19,000 pounds. So you will find some of everything in between out there depending on the area where the different species can be found.
The Best Dolphin DVD Ever...
This video is my favorite dolphin video. It was originally made for IMAX theaters so its format is not the usual documentary video.
Dolphins are Social...
Social Structure of Dolphins
They tend to live in groups that we refer to as pods. There can be about 5 of them but there can also be up to 1,000 of them. The social structure of these pods are very interesting. They seem to develop sub groups within them. It is common for a dolphin to stay in a pod for their entire life span which can cover many decades. Others decide to go to another pod to form new relationships, to find food, or due to conflicts that develop with them and other pod members.
It is very rare though that you will find a dolphin living on its own although it does happen. They are very social by nature so they thrive off of being around others. This is also why you will find that in captivity there are several instead of just one or two. Even with interactions with humans, there isn't the same level of communication that they get from each other. For them most part though dolphins live a very peaceful existence.
Dolphins are trained by the military to search for mines at the bottom of ships...
How Dolphins communicate with each other?
Dolphin Communication
Understanding the chatter and language of dolphins is very interesting to researchers. They know enough about it to understand the needs of those that are in captivity. This has helped them be able to further train the dolphins and to understand their needs. They may make clicks, calls, and even whistle to express themselves. It is noisy though when you are observing a large group of dolphins.
Understanding the chatter and language of dolphins is very interesting to researchers. They know enough about it to understand the needs of those that are in captivity. This has helped them be able to further train the dolphins and to understand their needs. They may make clicks, calls, and even whistle to express themselves. It is noisy though when you are observing a large group of dolphins.
My choice for Ocean DVD's
These dvds were also made for IMAX and there are simply amazing. The IMAX technology gives very good images. Particularly the "Living Seas" has a great music band.
How do Dolphins reproduce?
Dolphin Reproduction
You will find that there is plenty of tension around mating season though. This is going to occur during the migration process. This allows the them to be able to mate with members from other pods. Since their close relatives genetically often live within the same pod this practice helps to preserve the quality of the dolphin species in the world.
Researchers have noted that dolphins are one of the few animals in the world that take part in sexual activity when it isn't mating season. They are also known to mate with other species due to the hybrids that have been identified. Through DNA is has been proven that they have two different species of dolphins as parents.
You will find that there is plenty of tension around mating season though. This is going to occur during the migration process. This allows the them to be able to mate with members from other pods. Since their close relatives genetically often live within the same pod this practice helps to preserve the quality of the dolphin species in the world.
Researchers have noted that dolphins are one of the few animals in the world that take part in sexual activity when it isn't mating season. They are also known to mate with other species due to the hybrids that have been identified. Through DNA is has been proven that they have two different species of dolphins as parents.
Important!
Top Facts
1. Dolphins are Cetaceans.
2. Dolphins are mammals.
3. Dolphins breathe air.
4. Dolphins are social.
5. Dolphins communicate efficiently.
6. Dolphins are intelligent
2. Dolphins are mammals.
3. Dolphins breathe air.
4. Dolphins are social.
5. Dolphins communicate efficiently.
6. Dolphins are intelligent
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Brick_House_Fabrics
Dec 21, 2010 @ 10:49 am | delete
- I have never seen a dolphin in the wild, but hope to someday!
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qlcoach
Jun 10, 2009 @ 10:01 am | delete
- Dolphins are truly amazing and someday we might learn how to communicate with them. Wouldn't that be awesome? Met you on Squidom. Hope you will visit my new lens about emotional healing. Gary Eby, author and therapist.
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0ctavias0fferings
May 19, 2009 @ 5:12 am | delete
- You don't only find dolphins in warm waters, there is a pod in the Moray Firth area of the north of Scotland and that can't in any way be described as warm waters, even in the height of Summer.
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Links to Great Animal Sites
- BioExpedition
- The portal of animal diversity.
- Pink Dolphins
- Pink Dolphins. While you expect to see dolphins in the ocean, very few people realize that dolphins can be found in fresh water rivers as well. There are four species of dolphins that make their homes in rivers, being the best known of them the Amazon River pink dolphins.
- Facts about Sharks
- Information and facts about sharks. Sharks among the most amazing creatures in the earth. They have live here for million years and survived.
- Facts about Whales
- Whales belong to the order cetacea, which means that they are mammals fully adapted to aquatic life.
- Penguin Facts, Emperor Penguins, Adelie Penguins, King Penguins
- Penguins are well known for their tuxedo style of look with the black and white. They are a type of bird even though none of the species are able to fly.
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- One of the most unusual of all the aquatic life out there is the manatee. They are mammals with a very particular appereance. They are plant eaters so they really don't bother any other creatures in the water.
- Facts about Seals
- Seals are found all over the world, and there are 33 known species of them. They fall into a category of animals known as the pinnipeds.
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- Polar Bears only live where it is very cold around the Antarctic Region.
- Sea Lion Facts
- Sea Lion information
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- Squid facts and information
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- When it comes to sea turtles, you will find they come in many sizes as well as many colors. They are categorized as reptiles as they are cold blooded.
- Walrus Facts
- Many people find the walrus to be one of the most fascinating animals in the world. There is no denying what it is when you see those two long tusks in front of the face.
- Facts about Snails
- Learn the main facts about snails
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