Today, mammals are present in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats, in addition to bats with their ability to fly. From our site, we want to present you this time an article about a group of mammals that are exclusively adapted to the aquatic environment and that have developed a great sociability with human beings due to their intelligence: the dolphins
Although it seems obvious, all dolphins live in bodies of water, however, in the following lines you will discover specifically in which regions and bodies of water we can find them. We invite you to continue reading and discover where the dolphins live
Characteristics and classification of dolphins
Cetacea are an infraorder of mammals that are adapted exclusively to aquatic ecosystems and most live in marine waters, however, some species inhabit rivers and estuaries. This infraorder is divided into two groups, which are: the mysticetes (have beards and feed by filtration) and the odontoceti (endowed with teeth). Within the latter, made up of a wide variety of families, we find:
- Delphinidae.
- Platanistidae.
- Iniidae.
- Pontoporiidae.
The aforementioned families bring together all species of dolphins, both s altwater and freshwater, which are distributed globally.
Dolphin Characteristics
Dolphins have developed adaptations that facilitate their aquatic life. Among its main features we have:
- Size: they measure between 1, 3 and 9 meters in length, this last range being reserved for killer whales, specifically males.
- Weight: the smallest species of dolphins weigh about 25 kilos on average, while the largest exceed 5,000 kilos, with male killer whales being the typical example in this case.
- Body: their body is fusiform or similar to a torpedo, which greatly facilitates swimming and therefore they have a great dexterity to execute it.
- Snout: almost all, with the exception of the killer whale, have an extension of the mouth forming a kind of quite elongated beak or snout.
- Fins: The forelimbs are flattened into the shape of pectoral fins. In addition, they have a fairly muscular caudal or rear fin that helps propulsion and a dorsal fin that gives them stability while swimming. However, there are two species of dolphins in the genus Lissodelphis that lack a dorsal fin.
- Lungs: Like all mammals, dolphins breathe through lungs and must do so at the surface of the water. This process of gaseous exchange with the outside is done through a hole located in their heads called a spiracle.
- Ecolocation: a peculiar feature is the presence of an organ located on the head called a melon, which is used for echolocation, a process through which they locate their prey and know the surrounding environment from the echo that is produced by the emission of particular sounds. They also emit other sounds, establishing a complex system of communication in the social relations that they usually constitute.
- Feeding: newborns feed on their mother's milk, a distinctive feature of mammals, but as they grow they include fish and squid in your diet. However, animals such as orcas consume large fish, such as sharks, other cetaceans, seals, and sea lions.
Where do common dolphins live?
Within the "common dolphin" category, we find the coastal common dolphin and the oceanic common dolphin. Let's see the habitat of these dolphins
Coastal Common Dolphin
The coastal common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) is present in the shallow waters (less than 180 meters)but warm of the three main oceans, usually within a few kilometers of the coasts. In this way, it has a wide distribution range, consisting of:
- The Pacific area corresponding to the United States, Mexico, Peru and Chile.
- Also in the Atlantic, from Venezuela to northern Argentina, northwest and southern coasts of Africa.
- In the Indian Ocean.
- In the Arabian Sea.
- In India.
- In China.
- In Japan.
Ocean Common Dolphin
On the other hand, the oceanic common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) lives in tropical or temperate waters and can make a presence near the coasts or being thousands of kilometers away from them. It is distributed:
- From the United States to Chile.
- The Mexican Atlantic.
- Most Europe and Africa area.
- Much of the eastern Pacific.
Apparently they have a preference for water with the presence of rough reliefs on the seabed.
Where do pink dolphins live?
There are also several species of dolphins that inhabit large bodies of fresh water, such as rivers, these are the Platanistidae (Platanistidae and Iniidae), such as the pink dolphin or Amazon dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), which is found in three of the main hydrographic basins of South America, such as:
- Amazon.
- Bolivian Madeira River.
- Orinoco River of Venezuela.
Unfortunately, the pink dolphin is in danger of extinction mainly due to illegal and indiscriminate hunting, the destruction of its habitat and the pollution of the waters it inhabits.
Where do killer whales live?
Although we have commonly thought of killer whales as whales, they are in the family Delphinidae, as are oceanic dolphins. In this sense, this animal is not really a whale, because the latter are taxonomically grouped in mysticetes (baleen whales) that lack teeth, and killer whales, like other dolphins, have teeth, soOrcas would really be big dolphins , in fact, the biggest in the oceans.
Now, where do killer whales live? Killer whales occupy all the planet's oceans and a great variety of seas, being able to be present in coastal waters approximately 800 kilometers away. Sometimes they reach shallow areas, including estuaries and river mouths. Thus, they are located at:
- Alaska.
- Coast of Canada.
- USA.
- Russia.
- Japan.
- Iceland.
- Greenland.
- Norway.
- United Kingdom.
- Ireland.
- Caribbean Sea.
- Land of Fire.
- South Africa.
- Australia.
- New Zealand.
- Galapagos.
- Antarctica.
Where do other dolphins live?
As we can see, dolphins inhabit practically all the world's oceans and large rivers or extensions of water bodies. They have a wide range of distribution in terms of surface and depth of water, however, the particular habitat will depend on the species of dolphin Let's learn about other specific examples of the regions where certain groups are located.
- Hector's Dolphin: dolphins of the genus Cephalorhynchus can be found in the seas of New Zealand, as is the case of the Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori).
- Haviside's dolphin: Also within the genus Cephalorhynchus, there are dolphins that live in coastal areas of Namibia, such as the Haviside's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii).
- Delfín del Plata: this dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) is the species endemic to the great estuary that forms the Río de la Plata in Argentina, and it is also located on the Atlantic coast, so it can tolerate freshwater and s altwater ecosystems.
- Indus dolphin: Similarly, we can mention the Indus dolphin (Platanista minor), originally from Pakistan, having as its habitat the river of the region that bears the same name as the mammal.
- Chinese river dolphin or baiji: in China, we find the species Lipotes vexillifer, which inhabits the main river of this country as is Yangtze.
We can see that dolphins have a wide range of distribution in the planet's aquatic bodies, however, the presence of food is a vital aspect for them to remain present in any of the mentioned regions.
Dolphin Conservation Status
Dolphins, due to their social behavior and intelligence, have developed a close relationship with humans, since they are generally docile However, they are a group that does not escape the harmful impacts caused by the pollution of rivers and oceans, boat accidents, as well as their capture to be used in various shows. Also in certain regions of Asia, some are included in the diet, for which they are hunted Similarly, the fishing of various marine species through nets, generates the accidental capture of these cetaceans, causing their death.
There are very few types of dolphins that have natural predators, their greatest risks are constituted by human actions, which has resulted in several of these species being found in one of the animal categories in danger of extinction
