Bottlenose Dolphin
Bottlenose dolphins are a very intelligent marine mammal. They are NOT fish. Like whales, they breathe air. They have lungs very similar to ours for getting oxygen from air. Fish have gills to get oxygen from water, but again, Dolphins do NOT have gills...they have lungs!
There are two species of bottlenose dolphins. They live in all oceans except the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans. They are the most common type of dolphin. They are used in shows and "Dolphin Encounters" in many parts of the world.
The "Dolphin Encounter" we went to had non-captive dolphins who lived in a bay in Roatan Island Honduras. Our dolphin, Linca, was very entertaining, but he was not always cooperative. The trainer told us that the dolphins do their thing sometimes and that when they obey it is their choice, not a coerced or forced behavior. We liked this fact. We also liked that the dolphins were free to go out into the open ocean if they chose to. We got to interact with an Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin.
Blogger getting a kiss from Linca
Mother Bottlenose Dolphin and Calf
Mother Bottlenose Dolphin and Calf
Yes, a baby dolphin is called a calf, just like a baby cow. Gestation period is one year. (That means the mother dolphin is pregnant for one year.) A young dolphin stays with its mother for 18 months to 8 years. A group of dophins is called a pod. The pod work together to help raise and care for the young. So the other dolphins will babysit the young while Mom is out hunting fish or squid or crustaceans.
Young Male Dolphin with Friend
Now, the above picture is more of a cartoon drawing. The below drawing is has a small change. To indicate that a cartoon character is female, you add eyelashes, or draw bigger eyelashes than the males have.
Young Female Dolphin with Friend
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