Dolphins and fish heads tv#

The different species can be identified by their shape, colouring and markings and by certain physical features. The different species vary in size from the tiny Maui dolphin to the huge Orcas or killer whales. There are 32 species of oceanic and 5 species of river dolphin which are a closely related family. This word comes from the Latin cetus meaning 'a large sea animal,' and the Greek word ketos, meaning 'sea monster.' The word cetacean is used to describe all whales, dolphins and porpoises in the order cetacea. They are part of the cetacean family which are mammals that are adapted to life in the water. Bottlenoses can grow up to 2.8 metres long.

Dolphins and fish heads tv#

The most commonly known species is the “bottlenose dolphin' from ‘Flipper’ fame and seen in TV series, films and aquatic shows. They are called killer whales due to the fact that they feed largely on warm blooded prey and even hunt whales occasionally, therefore the name 'killer (of) whales'. They are not whales, but belong to the toothed cetacean family just like all dolphins do.

The largest species is the Orca also known as the “killer whale”, which can grow up to 9.6 metres long. Never chase or attempt to touch the dolphins let them come to you.ĭolphins are mammals and are thought to have evolved from hoofed land animals that lived about 50 million years ago. In all situations, it's important to remember that these are wild animals and should be treated with respect. What is clear though is that seeing these creatures underwater while diving and hearing their sounds is a big thrill, even if they don't directly approach. However in some parts of the world, wild dolphins have been documented actually playing with divers' bubbles and there exists video footage of this on the internet. This may be due to the fact that they sometimes make bubbles underwater as a threat to other groups to keep away, so the bubbles produced using scuba equipment may make them wary. It has been seen that they don't hesitate to approach snorkelers and will often swim among them but they can be more reluctant to approach divers. There is some debate over whether it is better to snorkel or scuba dive on your dolphin encounter. These mammals have been declared the world's second most intelligent creatures after humans, and people often feel during an encounter that the dolphin is studying them as much as being the object studied! This may be due to the meeting of intelligences and the fact that dolphins tend to look into your eyes. Not only is it amazing to see these animals underwater in their natural habitat, most people feel a huge affinity with them.

This is a truly delightful and unforgettable experience and most people report it as one of the best moments of their lives. They have also been documented protecting swimmers from the threat of sharks.Įach year many people fulfill their dream of swimming with wild dolphins while either diving or snorkeling. They often travel alongside boats, and pop their heads out of the water to look at the people onboard or on shore. In fact, many cultures consider the dolphin to be a sacred and powerful creature to be revered and respected.ĭolphins are not usually threatened by the presence of humans instead they maintain a healthy curiosity and seem to have as much of an interest in us as we do in them. Thought to be among some of the most intelligent animals on the planet, dolphins' playful, inquisitive nature have made them popular with divers and a fascination for all humans for as long as we have known of their existence.