Seeing the dolphins is something you never grow tired of. And they're enjoyed all year around, on St. George Island.
Barely stirring the water in the canal. |
The water gets stirred up when they find the fish. |
Dolphins are strict carnivores, eating fish and squid. They hunt their prey by using what's called echolocation. This is what they are doing when they make a "clicking" sound. They're using their ears, to hunt. They'll also follow sea birds, and ships, to catch fish.
A young calf surfaces. |
There are 40 different species of dolphins. Whales are also considered a type of dolphin. The whales, and the kind of dolphins around St. George Island, are know as "Oceanic" dolphins, as opposed to "River" dolphins, that live in the freshwater rivers of Asia and S. America. Of the Oceanic dolphins, there are 32 species. The most common around the island is the bottlenose.
They mate throughout the year, usually having one calf. When they're ready to give birth, they'll leave the pod, and come to the surface in order for the calf to take it's first breath. A calf can nurse up to 2 years, and will stay with their mom, anywhere from 3 to 8 years.
It's been said that dogs and dolphins have a language all their own. And, after seeing some of the things I have, it's hard to dispute. A dolphin sees just as clearly outside the water, as it does under it. So if they're following the boat, and happen to see dogs on board, their interest is peaked. And the dogs, are certainly interested in them. There's no fear on either side. Just curiosity. The dolphins will appear to almost tease the dogs, and start showing off by "sky hopping" or, jumping out of the water.
Watching the dolphins |
The bottlenose dolphin can live to be over 40 years old.
The dolphin is never thought of as an aggressive mammal, but when a male has to defend it's territory, or a female feels the need to protect it's young, they'll be aggressive enough to bite each other. But it's extremely rare to hear of aggression towards people.
Two mother dolphins and their calves |
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