Ever since I was little I have just been fascinated with dolphins. I love collecting pictures and information on them, I think they are so beautiful! So I want to share my love of dolphins with you, so that you can be as fascinated as I am!
Dophins are considered so far, the most intellgent of all animals. This article will prove just that. The name comes from Ancient Greek, meaning " fish with a womb".
Dolphins need love too! Reproduction is performed belly to belly. And most dolphins stay pregnant for about 11 to 12 months and can go as far as 17 months! Ladys, can you imagine being pregnant that long? Unbelievably they even engage in homosexual ' sex '. And do mate just to simply have pleasure just like we do. Hope it feels as good for them as it does us! They are even known to mate with other species of dolphins, which is how hybrids are formed. In 1993, three hybrid dolphins were found beached off of the coast of Ireland. It is said they were a cross between Risso's Dolphin and the oh so famous Bottlenose. The down side of mating, the act can turn violent at times.
Dophins have many talents and skills. They have acute eyesight in and out of the water. And scientist have said that their hearing is superior to humans. They are social and live in pods of up to a dozen. Dolphins even form into superpods of thousands when in an area abundant with food. They are known to establish very strong bonds with one another. Sounds a little bit like us huh? Dolphins have also been seen protecting swimmers from sharks, by either swimming in circles around the person, or charging the shark.
Nap time is much different for these amazing creatures. They only sleep with one hemisphere of the brain and with one eye open. Why you ask? They still need to go up for air continually. The strange thing is, in captivity they will go into full sleep with both eyes closed.
There are many threats to dolphins' lives. Such include, the Bull Shark, Dusky Shark, Tiger Shark, and the Great White Shark. They are also prone to diseases and parasites. But us humans can damage them too. The Amazon, Ganges, and Yangtze Dolphins are known to be seriously endangered. But in 2006 studies showed no individuals in from the Yangtze species, making them extinct.
And for my last wonderful fact... dolphins have even been used in the military. They were used to find mines, and rescue humans.
