Dolphin facts are remarkably interesting, and you need to learn such facts to help appreciate dolphins as wonderful and extremely creatures. Dolphins are mammals that are often referred to as crustaceans which include both dolphins and whales. Dolphins are aquatic animals that live, breed and spend most of their time in waters. They are considered extremely intelligent sea mammals, which form a close relationship with the human beings. Their friendly nature especially to the human beings and direct interaction with the humans from time immemorial brings them a peculiar place in the living world.
Dolphin’s unique intelligence is one of the dolphin facts known to many dolphin lovers. These animals possess an astounding intelligence that has puzzled many researchers. Dolphin intelligence resembles human intelligence and is far ahead of any other animal. Dolphins are known to be fast learners, and they are capable of generalization. Studies have shown that the dolphins possess an innate capacity to understand and can interpret speech commands. They are capable of imitating a behavior they are instructed to follow and also play with objects. They also have the ability to use different sounds as a means of communication. They can communicate with each other using clicks and squeaks.
Dolphins have the ability to give birth to young ones just like other mammals. Their incubation period ranges from 7 to 17 months depending on the dolphin species. During birth, the calf is usually born with tail coming out first then the rest of the body. The mother dolphin nurses its calf with milk until it comes of age where it can start feeding on foods such as fish and squids.
Dolphins are social animals, which tend to live together and form a social structure. In these social structures, they raise their calves, hunt and defend themselves together in the case of an attack. They have the ability to form a tight bond with one another. They are known to stay closer to a fellow dolphin that is hurt or sick, a phenomenon which is rare in other animals. Other animals will leave behind their fellows who are sick or debilitated that cannot keep pace with them. They are playful animals who enjoy playing a lot with their fellows.
Some of the dolphin facts are amazing like how they are adapted to live in water. Dolphins breathe through the nostrils located on the top of their heads. This helps them to breathe easily when they are near the water surface. A dolphin is able to empty and refill its lungs in less than a fifth of a second.
Dolphins have a clear vision when in water. Their eyes produce a special slippery secretion that protects their eyes from water friction and foreign objects. Dolphins sleep in an interesting manner, they only shut a half of their brain and they continue their breathing under voluntary control. This allows them to take short naps while below the water surface and rise slowly to the surface to breathe. Dolphins have a smooth and streamlined body that allows them to swim swiftly in water. The skin is also thick to reduce heat loss from the body. They also have hairless skin, which is thick and lack glands.
Dolphins are carnivores that rely on other animals for food. They spend a lot of time looking for food. They like hunting in a group, and they make use of echolocation to locate their food. Dolphins feed on different kinds of fish, which include mackerel, mullet, cod and squids. The amounts of fish they eat depend on the fish type. Fish such as mackerel and herring are rich in fat content that provide them with a lot of energy. Dolphins can eat up to 10-20kg of fish in a day. Their teeth are cone shaped which help to catch fish easily in water. They do not use their teeth to chew, instead they swallow their food whole.
Dolphins are adept swimmers. For instance, the bottlenose dolphin can cover 3-7 miles per hour while swimming. Their ability to swim faster is due to their body shape. Dolphins have tube shaped body that makes them streamlined in water, making the water flow over their bodies as they swim. Their smooth skin also helps them to reduce water friction as it swims. Dolphin facts help you to understand the dolphins and also develop your knowledge about these amazing creatures.