 |
DP1 |
The Atlantic spotted dolphin
is a dark gray on top and a medium gray on the sides.
They have a short beak with a spot of white on the end.
The name of the Atlantic spotted dolphin comes from the
spots that develop as the dolphin ages. |
 |
DP2 |
Among the smartest creatures in the sea,
dolphins can communicate with high pitched sounds. |
 |
DP3 |
This happy dolphin is show you one of his
many tricks. |
 |
DP4 |
Dolphins, like you and me, are mammals.
They have teeth, are warm-blooded, have a four-chambered
heart, and nurse their young from mammary glands. Dolphins
also have hair — but not very much! |
 |
DP5 |
Dolphins belong to a group of mammals called
cetaceans. Some cetaceans, like the baleen whales and
have horny plates hanging from their upper jaw that are
used to strain food from the ocean. Others, like dolphins,
are "toothed whales." |
 |
DP6 |
This dolphin does a combination disco and
fandango dance to entertain himself and the crowd. |
 |
DP7 |
What's the difference between dolphins and
porpoises? Dolphins and porpoises have different body
shapes. Dolphins usually have a large forehead. |
 |
DP8 |
The front limbs on a dolphin are called
flippers. The bones inside the flippers are similar to
the bones inside your arm and hand. Dolphins don't have
any hind limbs. |
 |
DP9 |
This fanciful artwork may be a scene from
the French version of SeaWorld. |
 |
DP10 |
Dolphins jump for a number of reasons. Sometimes
they jump to loosen tiny animals that cling to their skin.
Sometimes they jump in order to travel faster or see farther.
or to confuse and herd the fish they are chasing. Or maybe,
they jump just for fun! |
 |
DP11 |
The dolphin's tail is called its flukes
(each half is a fluke). There are no bones in a dolphin's
flukes, just tough connective tissue. |
 |
DP12 |
This dolphin rider exemplifies a mixture
of a common ancient theme of mastery and control over
nature intertwined with the wild abandone of youth. |
 |
DP13 |
The dolphin uses its flukes for swimming
and its flippers for steering. Most dolphins have a boneless
dorsal fin in the middle of their back that works somewhat
like the rudder on a boat. |
 |
DP14 |
This photograph of a dolphin shows how friendly
and curious dolphins can be. |
 |
DP15 |
Dolphins typically swim at 3 to 7 miles
per hour. They can go over 20 miles per hour when they
work hard. |
