Dolphins: Communication and Echolocation

Dolphins : Communicators of the Sea

Final

Introduction

Dolphins are common creatures at rivers and seas . Majority of small toothed whales are dolphins . Dolphins are large sea animals making it part of the cetaceans , where whales and porpoises belong (Stoops , 1996 Dolphins belong to family Plantanistidae and Delphinidae , respectively Often , people used dolphins and porpoises interchangeably denoting same species but porpoises in particuclar and dolphins are different species Porpoises belong to family Phocaenidae it has a rounded snout and chisel-liked teeth . While dolphins are under family Plantanistidae and Delphinidae , instead

of a rounded snout , dolphins have beak like snout and sharp , conical teeth ( HYPERLINK "http /www .dolphinlovers .com /facts .php http /www .dolphinlovers .com /facts .php Fig . 1 Comparison between the snout of a porpoise and a dolphin

Dolphins are outgoing creatures often they are mingling in a group with two to fifteen animal members or more . Most of their communities are dominated by females , its offspring , sisters and other females . Subadult male dolphins will leave these female-dominated communities to start a group of bachelor ' dolphins if these dolphins become sexually mature , they can move in the female groups for copulation . These mammals are very playful . They are often spotted riding the bow wave or stern wake of boats and "surfing " on waves . Chasing and tossing things to one another is one of their favorite plays . If seen jumping or breaching , it indicates enthusiasm for these creatures . Play is important for dolphins for learning and as well as to practice their skills necessary for their life 's survival (Geocities .com , 2006

Communication among marine animals , dolphins in particular are extensive and complex . The current focuses on these creatures characteristics , particularly their capability to engage in echolocation . Dolphins can see their environment like that of an X-ray machine and thereby transmitting this x-ray like images to other dolphins . If sight is very crucial for land animals , dolphins use a sound "seeing " system called echolocation . Echolocation is a sensory sonar system used by dolphins for communication purposes and for locating things in their environment . Through the sound waves released and listened to - size , shape distance speed direction and internal structure of an object is determined . This sound seeing system provides information such as water depth and the position of food and rocks making it effortless for them to catch their prey ( HYPERLINK "http /www .botany .uwc .ac .za /Envfacts /facts /dolphins .htm http /www .botany .uwc .ac .za /Envfacts /facts /dolphins .htm , 2007

Scope

The begins with an introduction about the dolphin , and their general characteristics as sea creatures . This is followed by a discussion of their general physiology , including their skin , fin swimming speed , breathing , and body temperature . The dolphin family is then discussed , with its 33 species - with 5 river species and 6 porpoise species . Of these , the most popular is said to be the bottlenose dolphin which are found in theme parks and are featured in television programs . The next focus would be on the dolphin 's...