The Fishy Mammals -Erakina

Scientific Classification

Kingdom-Animalia   

Phylum-Chordata  

Subphylum-Vertebrata  

Class-Mammalia Linnaeus    

Order-Cetacea Brisson  

 Family-Delphinidae Gray                                        

Genus-Tursiops Gervai  

Species-Tursiops truncatus 

Scientific name-Delphinus delphis

Introduction

Dolphins are incredible. They are socially skilled, intelligent, and playful creatures that share many emotional similarities to that of humans. There is a big range of various species of dolphin and they all have their own unique identities and characteristics.

How many species of dolphins are there?

As of now, there are about forty-nine different types of dolphin and porpoise species which are grouped into six families: The oceanic dolphin family which resides very far away and is the most important with thirty-eight members; the porpoise family has seven members while there are four dolphin families, each one of them containing only one species. However, classification can’t serve with precision and as more information and discoveries will come to light, deliberations will continue and a few dolphin species are likely to be further split into over one species or subspecies.

Names and nicknames could certainly be confusing. Eight dolphin names feature the word ‘whale’, including pilot whales, killer whales, false killer whales, and melon-headed whales. Two species have whales and dolphins in their name; the northern baleen whale dolphin and also the southern whalebone whale dolphin – no wonder both the general public and scientists get confused!

Where do dolphins live?

Dolphins board in the world’s seas and oceans and some rivers too. Some dolphin species value more to sleep in coastal areas while others like to sleep in shallow water but value more highly to live aloof from the coast near patches of shallower water which are located further resolute sea.

Orcas are the sole dolphins that sleep in the Arctic and Antarctic. Their large size implies that they need more protection against the tough cold of the freezing seas. Most dolphins prefer tropical and temperate waters as they’re warm-blooded mammals and then it’s easier for them to manage their temperature in these environments.

Can dolphins sleep in freshwater?

River dolphins like the Amazon dolphin (boto) and South Asian river dolphins live their lives only in water rivers and lakes, an extended way from the ocean; they’re sometimes called the ‘true river dolphins’. there’s another group of so-called river dolphins; these are water populations of marine dolphin species several of whom permanently sleep in water rivers, these include the Tucuxi (or Somalia), the Guiana dolphin, Irrawaddy dolphin, and therefore the finless porpoise.

How are dolphins different from fish?

Dolphins vary from fish in a very number of ways. Both dolphins and fish have adapted to measure their whole lives within the water, both have streamlined bodies and fins. But, dolphins are mammals so they have to regularly come to the surface of the earth to breathe air to survive, otherwise, they might drown. Fish on the opposite hand extract oxygen from the water and don’t have to surface.

Dolphins have evolved from land residing mammals whose legs were underneath their bodies. As a result of evolution over the years, the dolphins’ tails move up and down as they swim, whereas a fish’s tail moves from side to side.

Dolphins are warm-blooded and have blubber to stay them warm. Fish are cold-blooded and can suit the various temperatures of the water without the necessity of body fat to stay warm.

Most species of fish are known to put eggs and might lay many eggs in a very single year. Dolphins give birth to one baby once every 1 – 6 years then feed their babies milk through their nipples.

What are the differences between dolphins and porpoises?

Porpoises are smaller than dolphins; they’re but 2.5m (8ft) long. They’re also characteristically chunkier than dolphins and have a tiny low head, small or no beak, and a little triangular fin (exception being the finless porpoises). Porpoises and dolphins even have distinct teeth shapes. Porpoise teeth are spade-shaped whilst dolphins are conical.

Which is the biggest dolphin?

The biggest member of the dolphin family is the orca (also known as the killer whale). The larger males age to 9.8m (32ft 2in) and weigh up to 10,000kg (22,046lbs). Their black, towering dorsal fins become as long as  2m (6ft 7in) and are unique among all whales and dolphins. At the time of birth, the orcas are as long as 2.6m (8ft 6in).

The fastest dolphin

Dall’s porpoises are very speedy swimmers; they will reach up to 35mph (56kph). After they swim at high speeds, they create unique fan-shaped splashes of water, called “rooster tails” and this is often wont to identify Dall’s porpoise baffled.

Orcas also are extremely fast swimmers and doubtless the sole dolphins to achieve speeds kind of like Dall’s porpoise.