Friday, July 6, 2012

Dusky Dolphin


Animals Unique | Dusky Dolphin | Dusky Dolphin Classification and Evolution
The Dusky Dolphin is a small species of dolphin found inhabiting That Is the cooler waters along continental shelves throughout the southern hemisphere. 
 
 
 This distinctive looking cetacean is closely related to other large marine animals Including other dolphins, porpoises and whales but Despite Their fish-like appearance Dusky Dolphins are true Mammals That breathe both water in and out of Their Lungs and Their young also suckle on milk produced by the mother's mammary glands. Dusky Dolphins are widespread throughout the southern hemisphere with three species being recognised have been grouped by That Their geographical range, with one found off the coast of South America, one near South Africa and in the Indian Ocean and another inhabits deeper waters close to New Zealand . Sadly however, Despite being locally common in Certain areas have Dusky Dolphin Populations Declined throughout much of Their natural range primarily due to threats Caused by Increasing levels of human activity.

Dusky Dolphin Anatomy and Appearance
The Dusky Dolphin is the smallest of the world's 33 different species of dolphin growing to under two meters in length and weighing less than 100kg Generally. Like other species of cetaceans, Dusky Dolphins have a smooth and hairless, streamlined body that helps them to glide through the water and is powered by two tail flukes Their the which lay horizontally rather than vertically like Those of fish. The upper-side of Their bodies is either dark gray or blue-black in color and is separated from light gray to white Their under-side by a gray line runs from the which Their beak to the base of Their tail. Dusky Dolphins also have two light gray lines run diagonally from the which Their dorsal fin Their tail to the which is tall and curved to help them to change direction Quickly in the water. The beak of the Dusky Dolphin is black and more rounded in shape than Those of other dolphin species and contains Between 24 and 36 pairs of sharp, cone-shaped teeth are ideal for catching That slippery and fast-moving prey.

 
Dusky Dolphin Distribution and Habitat
Dusky Dolphins growing niche to be found in cool to temperate waters (10-18 degrees centigrade) close to continental shelves throughout the southern hemisphere, and seem to prefer shallower regions rather than deep water (although this can Vary depending on the location and time of year ). Although They are not Generally known to Participate in seasonal Migrations, Dusky Dolphins can travel the vast distances across the ocean and at great speed in search of food. The Dusky Dolphin three species have been classified by the regions in the which They Live Populations with the highest found off the coast of South America, South-Western Africa and around New Zealand. There are also known to occur Populations in the waters close to Argentina along with around the Falkland Islands further south. Despite Their wide range and distribution throughout the southern hemisphere Dusky Dolphin Populations have been decreasing Mainly due to interaction with Humans Including Their being hunted for meat and getting caught in the nets are used to catch That the shoaling fish hunt the which the Dusky Dolphins.

 
Dusky Dolphin Behaviour and Lifestyle
The exact Behaviours and habits of Dusky Dolphins depends on the species and where They Live however, Generally They spend time close to the shore resting during the day in small groups consist of That Between ten and twenty individuals. As night falls, these small groups begin to travel further away from land to feed and form pods consisting of up 1.000 individuals That includes both male and female members in order to work together to corner Shoals of fish. Dusky Dolphins are incredibly Sociable animals and can be seen playing, grooming and feeding after leaping together before breaking up into their smaller groups again to return closer to the coast to rest. Although They are Able to dive for up to 90 seconds at a time, like other marine Mammals Dusky Dolphins must keep returning to the water's surface to breathe, and expel the old air and water from Their Lungs via the single blow-hole That is located on Their top of the heads. They are highly intelligent animals and are Often seen leaping out of the water before diving back in after gliding through the water for a few seconds. This technique is known as porpoising and enables the Dusky Dolphin to breathe but without having to slow down when chasing prey.

Dusky Dolphin Reproduction and Life Cycles
Despite being Relatively wide-spread across the southern hemisphere, the fast moving nature of the Dusky Dolphin has Meant That Often it can be hard to study these animals in the wild and quite little is therefore known about Their lifespans in general. Most Dusky Dolphin calves growing niche to be born towards the end of the winter and in the early summer months Between October and February when the female Gives birth to a single offspring after a gestation period That Lasts for around 11 months. The Dusky Dolphin calf is fed on the Nutritious milk provided by it's mother until it is then taught to hunt by her after about a year. Calves growing niche close to REMAIN Their mother until They are around three years old when They leave to join a pod of Their Own (Often with lazy form bachelor groups), and the female is then Able to mate again. Dusky Dolphins are thought to be Able to first breed when They are Between the ages of four and five and are thought to live for an average of 20 years.

 
Dusky Dolphin Diet and Prey
The Dusky Dolphin is a Carnivorous animal That only feeds on other animals in order to gain the Nutrients That it needs to survive. By congregating in large groups Dusky Dolphins are Able to trap the vast schools of fish so That They have the best opportunity to feed, by traveling through the waters in a line and pushing the Shoal into an area where it is trapped. Prey depends largely on the area in the which the Dusky Dolphins They are feeding but most commonly consume anchovies, sardines and mackerel in shallower waters, squid at mid-depths and larger prey Including hake and octopus in deeper ocean. Although Dusky Dolphins have excellent hearing and are Able to see remarkably well through the water, it is actually a specially evolved system That these animals use the which both helps them to locate prey and to also avoid upcoming obstacles. By producing a rapid series of clicking noises, the Dusky Dolphin's brain is then Able to translate the clicks bounce off of Things That ahead (Such as fish) into a sound mental map of the surrounding area and therefore knows exactly where to find food.

Dusky Dolphin Predators and Threats
The Relatively large size, Sociable nature and sheer speed of the Dusky Dolphin That means it has very few predators That hunt it in it's natural environment. Pods of Killer Whales (to the which They are related) are the main predators of the Dusky Dolphin along with some large species of shark That venture into the shallower, coastal waters. The biggest threat to the world's Dusky Dolphin Populations though is encroaching more and more people on Their natural habitats usually in the form of commercial fishing. As fishing Humans are shoaling fish for the same as the Dusky Dolphins Often it leads to them being caught up in the vast nets where They can Quickly Become trapped. Other Reasons for the decline in Dusky Dolphins include the fact That They are also hunted in some areas (particularly Peru) for Their meat and are injured by large boats That hit them.

 
Dusky Dolphin Interesting Facts and Features
The Dusky Dolphin is thought to be one of the most intelligent animal species in the world and even communicates with other individuals using the which Their Own language consists of a series of whistles, clicks and squeaks. The unique body shape of the Dusky Dolphin That means it is incredibly flexible and in fact, the most agile species of dolphin in the world. They are Often seen leaping out of the water both when swimming and playing and the noise Them That Is Caused by diving back into the water is Able to travel for up to 1km through the water and up to 3km through the water. Dusky Dolphins are known to be incredibly Sociable animals with sick or injured individuals by others That helped push them towards the surface so the vulnerable individual is Able to breathe. Along with being seen together in their own pods, Dusky Dolphins are also known to Interact with other cetaceans Including Common Dolphins, the which They feed alongside.

Dusky Dolphin Relationship with Humans
Despite being one of the most intelligent animals in the world, Increasing the amount of man-made obstacles Such as boats and rigs litter the sea That has led to a decline in Dusky Dolphin Populations Often as They are hit by them. Populations around South America have also suffered greatly from hunting by people for the which Their flesh is used both as the temple for fish and for human consumption. A study Carried out Between 1991 and 1993 Revealed That 7.000 Dusky Dolphins were captured each year and although the hunting of dolphins has been banned recently, They are still commonly hunted as food. The issue however That affects most all Dusky Dolphin Populations is the fact That Often They are caught by accident in fishing nets large That are targeting the same fish That the dolphins are. However, in an growing number of places around the world watching the acrobatic Dusky Dolphin is Becoming increasingly popular with tourists and Bringing awareness to the threats That They face.

 
Dusky Dolphin Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, the Dusky Dolphin is listed by the IUCN as being data deficient although the which means That Certain Populations in Certain areas are well reported, little is really known about individuals Those That Inhabit unpopulated regions. However, Their numbers are known to be drastically declining throughout the southern hemisphere primarily due to the Increasing levels of human activity in their native environments. Despite the hunting of them being banned, They are still caught in nets and trawlers in their Thousands on a yearly basis.

Dusky Dolphin Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Cetacea
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Lagenorhynchus
Scientific Name: Lagenorhynchus obscurus
Common Name: Dusky Dolphin
Group: Mammal
Number Of Species: 3
Location: Across the southern hemisphere
Habitat: Cooler waters near continental shelves
Colour: Grey, Blue, Black, White
Skin Type: Smooth
Size (L): 1.6m - 2.1m (5ft - 7ft)
Weight: 80kg - 120kg (176lbs - 264lbs)
Top Speed: 37kph (23mph)
Diet: Carnivore
Prey: anchovies, Sardines, Squid
Predators: Killer Whales, Sharks, Humans
Lifestyle: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Group Behaviour: Pod
Life Span: 18-25 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 4-5 years
Gestation Period: 11 months
Average Litter Size: 1
Name Of Young: Calf
Of Weaning Age: 18 months
Conservation Status: Data deficient
Estimated Population Size: Not Known
Biggest Threat: Hunting and commercial fishing
Most Distinctive Feature: Rounded black beak and tall, curved dorsal fin
Fun Fact: Communicates using whistles, squeaks and clicks!

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