30 December 2007
An Intelligent Sea Mammal
The dolphin is an aquatic mammal that is closely related to whales and porpoise. The size of a dolphin ranges from 1.2 meters (4 feet) to about 9.5 meters (30 feet). The dolphin is considered to be one of earth’s most highly intelligent sea mammal. It has a streamlined body adapted for fast swimming in the seawater. An amazing fact about dolphins is that they can swim upto 35 miles per hour. Dolphins have accurate vision both inside and outside water and also have superior hearing senses. Dolphins are easily able to dive great depths and leap great heights in the seawater. They can also perform good acrobatic tricks.
According to official sources, there are about 32 types of oceanic dolphins and 5 species of river dolphins. The life span of a dolphin ranges from 12 years to about 40 years. Dolphins mostly eat plankton, small fish and squid.
The year 2007 has been declared as the “International year of the Dolphin” by United Nations and United Nations Environmental Programme, as an effort to promote dolphin conservation.
For more detailed information about promoting dolphin conservation, contact Dr. Supraja Dharini on 94440 52242.