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Common Dolphin  Twin.gif (17939 bytes)

1.What is your animal? Common Dolphin 2.What is the scientific name? Delphinus delphis 3.Describe the physical features of your animal? The Common Dolphin ranges in size from six to eight feet long. Common dolphins are slender and streamlined. They are slightly larger than spinners growing up to 2.5m in length. The common dolphin can be recognized by its conspicuous hourglass coloration pattern. The dark gray colour of the back extends down to the flanks as a V-shaped saddle. A distinct yellow patch in front of the saddle and gray patch behind create the hourglass effect. No other dolphin in the UAE has this colour pattern. A closer view will show a narrow dark stripe running from the flipper to the beak. Schools of up to 100 common dolphins may be seen.

4. In which ocean of the world does your animal live in? Dolphins have been located in all oceans and seas of the planet, from polar to tropical regions. Yes, 5 specific species live in fresh water, they are usually named after the river they swim in such as the Amazon, the Yangzi Jiang, or the Ganges.

5. What is the diet of your animal? Common dolphins eat Fishes, cephalopods, anchovies, squid, and octopus, items such as balloons, paper, and algae were found also because of humans throwing rubbish in the ocean.

6. What special animal behavior does your animal show?

Dolphins like to show off by jumping in the air and doing turns, flips and tricks with their tails etc.

7. How does your animal reproduce and care for its young? Calves are born all year round. Some calves when they are born they die and their mother tries to play with them and try to pull them under water. So a person from a group who looks at the dolphins and studies them has to pull out the calve out of the water so the mother can get on with her life. I have seen a dolphin that has had a calve and its name is Nikki from Monkey Myre. Calves are born in the water. Deliveries can be either tail-first or head-first. The umbilical cord snaps during or soon after delivery.

8. What special senses does your creature have? Dolphins have lots of different senses like hearing, Tasting, Eye-site, Smelling and Behavior.

Hearing

Dolphins respond to tones within the frequency range of 1 to 150 kHz. Common Dolphins have very good hearing just like other dolphins. You can’t really see their ears because they are hidden under their skin so they don’t get water in them.

Tasting

Dolphins have taste buds like us. Dolphins manly eat fish, octopus, squid, anchovies and cephalopods. Scientist don’t really know much about dolphins taste.

Eye-Site

Dolphins have a great eye-site in and out of water. Dolphins have two images when humans only have one. Dolphins have well developed tapetum lacidum, which is reflecting the layers of light.

Smelling

Dolphins have a limited sense of smell.

 9. Include general information? Common dolphins can be found in herd’s ranging from 50 animals to 2000 animals. They are very active in the waters.  10. Draw a detailed drawing of your creature?

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This page was written by Stephanie. W.

Resources from: Hallett Cove School  Home Page,www.tudogs.com/
Hallett Cove South Primary Editor: Sarah C HTML Information By Stephanie W  Kamo Elementary Central Elementary