A sleek bottle nose dolphin swimming in the Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Baja Mexico, North America.
Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in seventeen genera. They vary in size from m (4 ft) and 40 kg (90 lb) (Maui's dolphin), up to m (30 ft) and 10 tonnes ( LT; 11 ST) (the orca or killer whale). They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. The family Delphinidae is the largest in the Cetacean order, and evolved relatively recently, about ten million years ago, during the Miocene. Dolphins are among the most intelligent animals, and their often friendly appearance and seemingly playful attitude have made them popular in human culture. Dolphins occasionally leap above the water surface, and sometimes perform acrobatic figures ( the spinner dolphin). Scientists are not certain about the purpose(s) of the acrobatics. Possibilities include locating schools of fish by looking at above-water signs like feeding birds, communicating with other dolphins, dislodging parasites or simple amusement. Dolphins have long played a role in human culture. Dolphins are common in Greek mythology and there are many coins from ancient Greece which feature a man or boy or deity riding on the back of a dolphin. The Ancient Greeks welcomed dolphins; spotting dolphins riding in a ship’s wake was considered a good omen. In Hindu mythology, the Ganges River Dolphin is associated with Ganga, the deity of the Ganges river.
Size: 5514px × 3594px
Location: Sea of Cortez, Baja, California, USA, United States, America, and Mexico
Photo credit: © Ellen Barone / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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