Discover the mystery of dolphins – animals that are friendly to humans
Dolphins are famous for their exceptional memory, making them creatures with good memories in the animal kingdom. They can remember details from more than 20 years ago, far surpassing elephants and chimpanzees in this respect. Dolphins are also one of the few animals that can recognize themselves in a mirror – a rare ability that only a few extremely intelligent species such as elephants, crows, chimpanzees and some monkeys have.
Contrary to popular belief, dolphins are not fish; they are mammals. This means they share some common characteristics with mammals, such as being warm-blooded, breathing air through lungs, giving birth, and feeding their young with milk. Dolphins can drown if they stay underwater for too long or if water gets into their lungs. Just like humans, humans can become seriously congested with about 30ml of water in their lungs, dolphins can only endure a maximum of 15ml of water before drowning.
Dolphins have unique birth habits; When a dolphin goes through a difficult labor, another dolphin steps in to help the calf. During this time, the entire herd swims around for protection. Dolphins also have the remarkable ability to destroy sharks when united. Using their iron-hard snouts, they pierce the shark’s gills, which can be fatal to the shark.
Dolphins are omnivores and their diet changes with the seasons. Some species have a habit of migrating, moving to find food at certain times of the year. They can feed in both bottom and midwater zones and digest both vertebrates and invertebrates. Their diet usually includes small fish, shrimp, and other invertebrates.
Dolphins are known for their complex social behaviors. They form groups, devise hunting strategies, and assign tasks to search for potential threats. They also used self-taught skills to hunt more effectively and pass this knowledge on to the next generation. Dolphins are said to possess a form of “metacognition” similar to humans, displaying empathy and using complex communication abilities.
Dolphins can go weeks without sleeping thanks to a unique sleep mechanism that allows one half of their brain to rest while the other half remains awake — a process known as “unihemispheric sleep.” This unique ability not only prevents drowning but also helps them stay alert to dangers and encourages brain development.
Each dolphin population has its own “signature whistle”, similar to a name that other dolphins may use to attract their attention. Dolphins, which are mammals native to terrestrial environments, are capable of understanding and classifying objects into similar groups, as well as understanding and responding to sounds and images, just like humans. The ancestors of dolphins used to live on land and were carnivores, but about 50 million years ago, they adapted to the underwater environment and evolved into the marine mammals we know today.
By discovering amazing facts about dolphins, we gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of these intelligent, social and highly adaptable creatures continues to fascinate researchers and animal lovers alike.
