Dolphins

Dolphins are mammals closely related to whales

and porpoises. Dolphins have a powerful and streamlined

body. They are found in all seas and oceans. Dolphins can be

told apart from porpoises by their nose, which is beaklike, and

also their conical teeth. Porpoises have a flatter nose, sharper

teeth, and a more solid body.

There are 32 known species of dolphins. The bottle-

nosed dolphin is often the species used in aquatic shows. The

common dolphin inspired many Mediterranean folk lores. Both

of the dolphins above appear in open waters, usually around

cruise ships. They like to show off around the boat.

There are also freshwater dolphins that live in rivers

of Asia and South America. The Buffeo dolphin has been

spotted up to 1250 miles up he Amazon River. The buffeo is the

smallest of all dolphins averaging about 4 feet. The bottlenose

is closer to 10 feet. The killer whale, which is also considered a

dolphin, can grow to be 30 feet long. The pilot whale is also

considered a dolphin.

Dolphins were once hunted by commercial boats

for the small amount of oil that can be extracted from their

body. This oil is used to lubricate small parts in watches.

Cheaper oils have been found, so dolphins are not hunted for

this reason anymore. Dolphins can be caught in tuna nets by

accident. Since dolphins have to breath at the surface they

drown in tuna nets. It is estimated that 4.8 million dolphins were

killed in tuna nets from 1959 to 1972. Under pressure from

animal rights activists tuna consumers will not accept tuna from

canners that do not protect dolphins. Animal rights activists

also believe that dolphins shouldn't be in captivity for use in

aquatic shows.

Dolphins eat a lot of food in a day, usually about

one third of their body weight. A dolphin's diet consists of

mostly fish and squid. Dolphins can swim very fast, so they are

able to easily catch their food. The dolphin has 200 to 250

sharp teeth. Dolphins follow schools of fish in