Dolphins
by Wendy Aron“Highly Social Animal”
With their perpetual smiles, soulful eyes and great intelligence, dolphins never cease to fascinate us. Of all the mammals none have inspired our affection as much the dolphin. Intrigued by these creatures of myth and magic, we’ve longed to explore the mystery that surrounds them. There is no denying that people are drawn to dolphins. We envy their acrobatical abilities and regardless of scientific explanations remain convinced the main purpose of these antics is sheer pleasure. We suspect that they have a keen sense of humor, great intelligence and the ability to communicate, even though these are generally considered human attributes. It is because of these unique behaviors and other remarkable traits that the dolphin maintains such enigmatic allure.
Dolphin Traits
The dolphin is a highly social animal with complex behaviors. It uses high-pitched squeaks and clicks to locate prey. Dolphins are also able to communicate with each other. Their bodies are slender and streamlined with well-developed dorsal fins and tail fins. Like fish, dolphins have perfected ways to push their bodies through the water with less effort using skin that is highly specialized, hydrodynamic and is smooth as patent leather. Recent research has shown that the actual structure of the dolphin’s skin responds to water movement. The skin absorbs the small eddies that form as the dolphin speeds through the water. This keeps a smooth stream of water moving past the dolphin. It makes them the kings of undersea speed and agility.
Dolphins are also a very tactile group and seem to thrive on physical contact and touch. Mothers often keep a flipper in contact with their calves. Captive animals respond eagerly to back rubs and massages. Like humans, dolphins have very sensitive skin as well as highly developed areas in the brain which interpret these tactile sensations. While the dolphin’s ability to taste or smell is limited, the sense of touch is vital and therefore well-developed. Dolphins breathe through specialized blowholes and unlike land mammals are unable to inhale or exhale through their mouth. Their remarkable vocal repertory is generated through the larynx, which is also part of their respiratory system.
Explicit Information on Dolphins
Dolphins can be found in every part of the marine environment from the coral reefs and sandy flats of tropical seas, to the frigid water of the Polar Regions. Anyone who has seen a wild dolphin knows the incredible appeal these animals have. We want to interact with them and to have them accept our presence especially in the water. But encounters with the wild dolphins are rare and seldom last very long.
There are many different species of dolphins. An area known as White Sand Ridge, approximately 35 miles North of Grand Bahamas, is home to about one hundred bottlenose dolphins. In the warmer waters of Mexico Sea of Cortez, divers occasionally encounter Pacific Bottlenose dolphins. These animals can attain lengths of over 12-feet. Bottlenose dolphins inhabit both tropical and temperate seas; they are the world’s most widespread and abundant species of dolphins. These animals are the species most frequently seen in sea quarries and marines parts. They adapt very well to captivity and are relatively easy to train.
A select group of diving operations have started special dolphin programs where people can interact with semi-captive socialized animals. One such operation is UNEXSO, the under water explorer society located on Grand Bahamas. Although each program has its own methods, the dolphins are generally free to leave their employment at any time. They typically spend their nights within enclosures, but each day are able to venture into the open ocean followed by a boatload of human admirers. Surfing along side of the boats, the dolphins follow their trainers to a shallow reef. Here divers are instructed how to act around the dolphins and what signals to use to communicate with them. Once in the water humans are able to watch the dolphins in their own environment. The animals may play with each other, interact with the divers and trainers or simply keep to themselves. Occasionally, a dolphin may decide not to head back to the enclosure right away and will wear off to cavort with some wild dolphins. Although the trainers try to keep an eye on their charges and encourage them to return, the choice is ultimately the dolphins.
Working with the dolphin in captivity is also challenging and rewarding. All training is done by positive reinforcement or rewarding the animal for the appropriate behavior. The dolphins also respond to other rewards like rubbing or belly scratches. Most trainers believe that dolphins are extroverts and enjoy the attention of the adoring crowds. Each trainer gets to know the personalities or dolphanalities of each animal, so they can work together more effectively. Hand signals and whistles are used to communicate with dolphins; most behaviors or stunts such as lob tailing are based on natural behaviors the dolphin displays in the wild. The only thing learned by both the trainer and the dolphin is communication or which hand signal or whistle is associated with which behavior.
While dolphins in captivity always draw huge crowds, most institutions with captive citations are also involved in ongoing research to learn more about the behavior and biology of these animals. Although there are opponents to dolphin captivity and these types of programs, many people believe that education and research may be the only hope for these remarkable creatures and the overall health of the marine eco system. Dolphins demonstrate their intelligence by repeatedly displaying their great capacity to learn. Like learning, communication is also recognized as a characteristic of higher animals. Apart from humans, no other group seems to have mastered the skills of communication as well as dolphins. Both in captivity and in the wild, dolphins continue to astound man, the self-proclaimed master of intelligence.
