100 likes | 577 Views
Kingdom Anamalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Cetacea. First two cervical fused in dolphins First six cervical fused in porpoises Dolphins have fusiform body optimal for fast swimming Pectoral fins used for steering Fluke use to propel the body Dorsal fin provides stability
E N D
Kingdom Anamalia • Phylum Chordata • Class Mammalia • Order Cetacea
First two cervical fused in dolphins • First six cervical fused in porpoises • Dolphins have fusiform body optimal for fast swimming • Pectoral fins used for steering • Fluke use to propel the body • Dorsal fin provides stability • Melon used for echolocation • Blowhole used for breathing
The gestation period of dolphins varies between 11 months to 17 months depending on the species • Sexually active before sexually mature • Occasionally engage in homosexual behaviors • Mate between species creating hybrid dolphins such as the wolphin • Sometimes engage in aggressive sexual activities such as rape • Calves stay with mother for upwards of three years Wolphin
Harbor Porpoise- can travel 22km/hr. • Dall’s Porpoise- Fastest and strongest swimmer among cetaceans • Vaquita Porpoise- most endangered • Spectacled Porpoise- largest porpoise • Burmeister’s Porpoise-1.4 to 1.8 m long • Finless Porpoise- only porpoise with a round melon • Bottlenose Dolphin- loves warm water • Spinner Dolphin- spins during leaps • Common Dolphin- like deep water • Spotted Dolphin- large herds • Pantropical Spotted Dolphin • Clymene Dolphin • Rough Toothed Dolphin • Striped Dolphin • White Beaked Dolphin • Pacific White-Sided Dolphin- deep temperate waters • Hourglass Dolphin
Dolphins use echolocation for hunting • The diet of the average dolphin consists of fish, shrimp, and squid • Dolphins sleep with half of their mind at a time so they can stay aware of their surroundings • When baby dolphins are behind their mothers to the right, they are sucked along with their mothers helping them keep up • Dolphins can live to be fifty years old
Dolphin Distribution Porpoise Distribution