The Dolphins are mammals belonging to the Delphinidae family and are probably the most popular, charismatic and intelligent marine creatures in the animal kingdom. These characteristics and many other peculiarities make us humans take a great interest in these cetaceans and their intelligence. Perhaps you are looking for some dolphin trivia for kids or you may want to learn more about the species. In any case, you've come to the right place!
In this article on our site we will show you 10 curiosities about dolphins based on scientific studies that ensure their veracity, you will surely discover many things you didn't know about dolphins! If you want to know curious facts about dolphins, don't think about it, keep reading…
1. How many types of dolphins are there in the world?
As we told you in the introduction, dolphins or oceanic dolphins are mammals that belong to the Delphinidae family, which includes more than 30 different species. It is estimated that there are more than 2,000 captive dolphins, living in water parks, dolphinariums and even in commercial areas.
It is not possible to offer exact data regarding the population of dolphins in the wild, but it would be around9 million individuals Dolphins are gregarious animals, that is, with a tendency to group together, being able to create groups of up to 1,000 specimens, which communicate and relate to each other.
two. Where do the dolphins live?
Dolphin habitat and migration can vary depending on several factors, such as abundance of food, temperature or distance from shore. They tend to prefer shallow, near-shore waters in tropical and temperate climates, thus avoiding colder waters. For this reason, we can find dolphins almost anywhere in the world.
3. Dolphin communication
The forms of communication that dolphins emit when interacting with each other and with the environment is probably one of the aspects that has generated the greatest interest in the scientific community. Dolphins use a highly developed and sensitive method called "echolocation" to receive information from the environment they are in, but they also perform"vocal specializations" of high and low frequency to communicate with each other and even with other marine individuals.
Since some porpoises seem to use the echolocation system in a rhythmic way to communicate with each other and not only to interact with the environment, it is estimated that dolphins may also have developed vocal and auditory specializations, generating thus a varied and complex communication system [1]
The great variety of whistles produced by dolphins can vary depending on the environmental noise [2] and the variety and complexity of them demonstrates his important cognitive abilities. Some of the functions of whistles are recognition of specific individuals, cohesion in the group or coordination of movements, hunting or surveillance, among others.[3. 4]
4. Do dolphins use tools?
A study carried out on a group of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in the wild revealed that some individuals, mostly females, used sponges as tools during foraging. After observing them for days it was concluded that they used them for searching for food
Although this hypothesis is the most widely supported, it is also estimated that dolphins may use sponges for activities related to play or that they take advantage of some of their components, for example for medicinal purposes. In any case, sponge transport is a common behavioral specialization in dolphins.[5]
5. Is it true that dolphins sleep with one eye open?
Dolphins do not dream in the same way as other mammals, in fact, a study published in 1964 explained that bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) slept with one eye open and one closed and suggested that it could be due to a state of alertness to possible predators However, no physiological correlation was observed between the cerebral hemisphere and the open eye, so it could not be shown that this type of behavior had a real surveillance function.
Later, another study conducted on captive Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) showed that this particular group opened or closed its eyes depending on the position in the pool of other members of the group, therefore, it is estimated that they open and close their eyes during sleep hours to ensure visual contact with other members of their social group.[6]
6. What do dolphins eat?
In the early stages of life, the dolphin feeds only on its mother's milk, until it begins to hunt for itself and feed on other resources. Dolphins are carnivorous and their diet is mainly based on the consumption of fish, octopus, molluscs and other invertebrates
Dolphins can devour surprisingly large prey, even those weighing more than 4 or 6 kilograms, as they gobble rather than chewThis way of feeding prevents the spines or fins of their prey from being stuck.
7. The intelligence of dolphins
Dolphins are rational animals, that is, they are capable of understanding and representing the environment in which they live, carrying out logical thoughts and draw conclusions from them. They can also intentionally modify their behavior, thus creating new patterns of interaction and seeking new perspectives or goals. These are intelligent animals, both behaviorally, cognitively and socially.
They are self-aware, are capable of carrying out different procedures or methods, have a social conscience and also show a complex mastery of language and the natural forms of communication of the species. [8]
8. Are dolphins bisexual?
While a study was conducted on captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), homosexual and heterosexual behaviors were observed in individuals, as well as the practice of masturbation in males. [7] Likewise, a National Geographic documentary on homosexuality in the animal kingdom points to dolphins as very emotional creatures that carry out regular sexual practices, which include partner sex with members of the same and opposite sex or who engage in group sex.
9. Do dolphins attack man?
Cases of dolphins attacking humans in the wild are extremely rare. In most cases it is dolphins that confuse people with prey, so they end up releasing them, but it can also happen if humans bother them or try to interactwith them.
On the contrary, cases of dolphin attacks on people in captivity are more common and some dolphin defense organizations, such as SOS Dolphins, point out the conditions of life of these animals as the main cause.
10. The effects of captivity on dolphins
The living conditions of captive dolphins directly affect their physical and psychological well-beingAlthough attempts are made to offer them a spacious environment and mental stimulation is practiced with them, the truth is that the limitations in terms of space and the constant auditory and sound stimuli reduce the quality of life of captive dolphins. The lack of natural seawater or the diet based on frozen fish also have an influence. The life expectancy of captive dolphins is around 20 years, while in the wild it is around 50 years.
Apart from the factors mentioned above, special attention should also be paid to the socialization of the dolphins, since most of them do not have a large enough group. Others have seen specimens from other families introduced into their pools, or worse still, there are also dolphins that live alone.
All these factors cause stress and anxiety in these highly intelligent cetaceans, and can generate a state of chronic stress that acts directly on their system immune predisposing them to suffer from various diseases. For this reason, more and more organizations are fighting so that captive dolphins can be transferred to specialized marine sanctuaries and refuges.
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