Dolphin

Dolphins are members-only animals. They were one of the first underwater animals, along with other sea animals like Sharks. Believe it or not, sharks resemble a dolphin’s behavior the most. They are both proficient speedy swimmers and hostile predators, at the top of the food chain, and live in the same waters and hunt similar prey. Dolphins are a common animal for members to you in the ocean area. Dolphins can be used to play in the game Splash and Dash.

Dolphins seem to be far one of the most playful animals in Animal Jam; at the Cruise Ship Party, they can be seen jumping out of the water.

Facts
Dolphins are a part of the order Cetacean (Or the “non whale” toothed cetaceans); the other members are whales and porpoises. They are aquatic mammals that live in a variety of habitats. (Dolphins: porpoises, oceanic dolphins → subgroup: open ocean dolphin, river dolphin, and costal dolphins). Dolphins are well known for being affectionate, curious, moreover being highly intelligent. The life span of a dolphin is captivity ranges around fifty years, while in the ocean about twenty years. A couple of skills to name are long term memory, and being conscious of body language and feelings. Vocalizations (A form of communication, language) are yips, pops, and signature whistles (Self representation, used like a name). Other sounds made are unexplained, on the other hand body language: jumping, spinning, and writhing are signs of moods. The most imperative feature of the dolphin is echolocation (Biosonar), which they use to journey across the ocean depth by transmitting sound waves. As of echolocation, a great amount of information is determined: mass, form, density, direction and distance of object. The echoes are created by clicks produced near their blowhole, the sound waves are able to go through or recoil off of objects (Objects are distinguished by momentum and magnitude of echoes). The echoes are perceived through the lower jaw, guided to their ears, and subsequent to the brain.

The difference from a dolphin and a porpoise is that porpoises are relatively smaller and more recessive. River dolphins do in fact inhabit rivers and estuaries in Yangtze in China, Brahmaputra in India and the Amazon River in South America.

In Pakistan, and Orinoco in South America (Varies in characteristics depending where they live). The river dolphins are actually the only dolphins are able to swims upside down (Amazon River Dolphins). Traits of river dolphins are maneuverability, and immense dependence on echolocation (Dark rivers). Several species are likely to be endangered by human disturbances.

Coastal Dolphins live in waters that receive minerals and nutrients (From the ocean bottom) that encourage growth and population of algae, other plants, and plankton, which appeals to numerous victim species [Fishes, squid]. In which it draws the focus of the dolphins, traveling in small groups. Costal Dolphins rounded with dull colors that match the habitat, their eyesight is not as keen, as for their speed they are slower than open- ocean dolphins.

Open ocean dolphins physical appearance are bold patterns, with sleek bodies. They fall prey to sharks and killer whales, but their diet consists of: fishes, crustaceans, or squids attracted by the algae. Their survival rate increases by grouping, however because of competitors, dolphins swim alone more frequently. How are dolphins different from fishes? Instead of a swimming side to side, dolphins swim up and down transferring power to their tail. As for their tails, they are horizontal instead of vertical [Think of them as propellers and steering rudders and their fins as paddles]. Since dolphins are mammals with lungs, they have to surface after a certain amount of minutes, yet after they nearly fill the entire capacity of their lungs [Fishes breathe through gills]. At a cost, dolphins have to consume more food [They are endothermic] although to maintain their inner temperature of 98 degrees Fahrenheit, also to move swiftly a longer duration [High metabolism]. Blubber or body fat is developed by dolphins to protect them from cold climates also. Fishes are ectothermic, relying on sunlight or the environment for heat. A dolphin sensory is by far better, and has echolocation. Fishes lay eggs, while dolphins bear their young. The mothers indeed produce their own milk for their children. The babies of dolphins are called calves, and the babies of fish are called fry. Then of course their intelligence to contrast from fishes, having cognitive abilities, communication, and an animal besides ape or human to recognize themselves in a mirror.

Dolphins live in groups called pods, which are made up of adult females and children of both genders. Pods typically have seven members; nonetheless there is constant reforming, unless the pod joins with other pods which are called herds, larger groups are super pods [Reaching over a thousand members!]. Males part from their own pods as they mature, and later create a male pod to have a better chance of impressing a female dolphin. Most unwell or weak dolphins [Such as calves] are taken advantage by predators. Threats of dolphins besides predators are: habitat losses, pollution, boat collisions, hunting, trapping in nets [An accident when fishers go hunting], and strandings [An occurrence when a dolphin is stranded on a beach]. This also caused the extinction of one of the river dolphin species the Baji ( Yangtze River Dolphin) in China. However a sighting of the Baiji was found after it was announced extinct.

Actions of the Dolphin
These are the actions the dolphin does.

Pose left: faces left

Pose right: faces right

Dance: do a water somersault, then swim to the left, then do the somersault, and so on

Dive: swim downwards and go back up, and so on

Swirl: start from the right, swim in a circle faster and faster

Play: kicks the water, change direction, kick, change, and so on