Dolphins are believed to be one of the most intelligent animals in the
world compared to others. This is because they are trained, can swim with humans and also can generously communicate with them. Moreover the female dolphins are apparently called cows, males are called bulls and young dolphins are to be called calves. Behaviour Dolphins are well known for their agility and playful behaviour, accomplishing them a favourite fan of wildlife watchers. A variety of this species will oftenly leap out of the water, spy-hop (rising vertically above the water level to check if the direction they are following is clear) and follow ships, often synchronizing their movements with one another. Scientists believe that dolphins conserve energy by swimming alongside ships, a practice known as bow-riding. Appearance Dolphins are fishlike in form, with streamlined, hairless bodies. Their powerful, horizontal flukes, or tail fins, drive them through or out of the water, while their forefins and dorsal fin are used for steering. Constantly shedding their skins, dolphins accumulate no barnacles or other external parasites. A layer of blubber protects them from cold and seals small wounds. Dolphins breathe air through a single, dorsal blowhole. Reproduction Mating Season: Throughout the year, though in some areas there is a peak in spring and fall. Gestation: 9-17 months depending on the species. When it is time to
give birth, the female will distance herself from the pod, often going near the surface of the water. Number of offspring: Usually one calf; twins are rare. As soon as the calf is born, the mother must quickly take it to the surface so it can take its first breath. The calf will nurse from 11 months to 2 years, and after it is done nursing it will still stay with its mother until it is between 3 and 8 years old Diet Dolphins are active predators and eat a wide variety of fishes, squids, and crustaceans such as shrimps. The foods available to a dolphin vary with its geographic location. Coastal dolphins tend to eat fishes and bottom-dwelling invertebrates. Offshore dolphins tend to eat fishes and squid. Some offshore dolphins were found with deep-sea fishes in their stomachs. This evidence suggests that offshore dolphins may dive to more than 500 m (1,600 ft.). Conclusion The maximum age for bottlenose dolphins is between 40 and 50 years. The average age a dolphin can get (the life expectancy) can be calculated from the ASR Annual Survival Rate (the percentage of animals alive at a certain point, that is still alive one year later). For the dolphin population in Sarasota Bay, the ASR has been measured to be about 0.961. This yields a life expectancy of about 25 years. For the population in the Indian/Banana River area, the ASR is between 0.908 and 0.931. This yields a life expectance between 10.3 and 14 years. So the actual life expectancy differs per region. By Diana Rzayeva!
