ADOPT A DOLPHIN!
In
the eastern tropical Pacific near Mexico, where tuna fishermen have killed millions
of spinners since 1959, the dolphins no longer approach ships.
In
Hawaii, they not only approach ships, but could be termed our oceanic
"Ambassadors of Aloha"
Dolphins are mammals. They breathe air, are
warm blooded, give live birth to babies and nurse their young they
are not fish and should not be confused with the fish called "dolphin"
(also called Dorado or mahi mahi).
DOLPHIN ANATOMY
© James D. Watt / Animals Animals
Dolphins are cetaceans, like whales. They
belong to the group of the toothed whales whose scientific name
is odontocetes. The other whales, called baleen whales, have the
scientific name mysticetes.
All
dolphins have cone shaped teeth. They live in temperate and tropical
waters worldwide. There are also several species of freshwater and river
dolphins, all of which are either threatened or in danger of extinction.
What do dolphins drink?
Dolphins’ main prey (fish and squid), contains large amounts of water. Fish, such as herring and mackerel can be made up of as much as 80% moisture, whilst moisture levels in squid are even higher. In addition, dolphins don't actually need to take in very much fluid because, unlike us, their skin is impermeable and they don't lose water by sweating.
Dancing Dolphins Sculpture, on sale by Laura Knight
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Spinner Dolphin Pictures, Behaviors, Video and
Information (provided by the Wild
Dolphin Foundation)
The Hawaiian name for dolphin is nai'a, and refers to most all dolphins found here. Hawaiian Spinner dolphins
are shaped and colored somewhat differently from other species of spinner dolphins.
With 13 species of toothed dolphins (nai'a) swimming in the tepid
waters of Hawaii, the most common are the Hawaiian spinner, spotted (kiko), bottlenose and rough-toothed dolphins. Other often seen
members of the dolphin family - although termed as whales (kohola)-
are pilot and false killer whales.
Dolphins in Hawaii are commonly
termed as "porpoise" by local folks, especially fishermen,
who use the word "dolphin" when referring to the dolphin
fish, or mahi mahi.
 So
called for their high, spinning leaps, spinner dolphins are known
as playful, eager bow-riders throughout much of their range.
In certain areas in Hawaii, spinner dolphins are seen on an
almost daily basis. Probably since the islands
have formed, the Hawaiian spinner dolphins have come into nearshore
daytime habitats along the west coast of Oahu. We have traced their occurrence in our area back
at least 800 years.
Below are descriptions of daytime behaviors
the acrobatic spinners frequently engage in. Pictures and videos were taken during our dolphin
encounter tours.
Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins Stenella
longirostris "Nai'a"
Size: 1.7 to 2.2 m, 75 kg.
Males slightly larger than females
Calves at birth: 77 cm
45 to 65 sharp-pointed teeth on each side of upper and lower
jaw
Food: Fish (small deep-ocean species) and squid
Habitat: Mainly offshore
Range: Tropical, subtropical and warm temperate world ocean
Status: Population unknown, but common in most parts of its range.
Substantial declines have occurred in the eastern tropical Pacific
To see the
enlarged pictures, please click on the desired picture. Double click
to open movies.
 Spins
Spinner dolphins are famous for their fantastic jumps high out of
the water. They can leap into the air and make as many as 7 complete
spins before diving back into the ocean! Few dolphins are known
to leap as high as the Spinner and except occasionally for the Clymene dolphin,
no others spin. Why
Do Spinner Dolphins Spin?
Note: Click on the picture to the right to see good
spin video >>
 Head-Over-Tail
This
aerial behavior is probably the most energetic. While the spin is
more like a top, this leap is a series of mid-air somersaults.
Note: Click on the picture to the right to see head
over video >>
 Head Slaps
This
very young spinner has already learned a way to get mom's attention.
Repeated head slaps send an acoustical message. Notice the pinkish
underside, normally white, this could mean excitement or the product
of vigorous slapping!
 Tail or Peduncle Slaps
Often
seen before a change in the pods behavior. Most often, immediately
after we see this behavior, the pod will change its traveling direction. Tail slap video and how it looks from underwater.
The dolphin is excited about his "play toy!"
 Nose-Outs
Often
seen before going into a rest mode, or when they seem to have interest
in us. These, although still classified as aerial behaviors are the
least energy taxing.
Fluke-up Dive 
Dives
with the tail (flukes)raised in the air seem to signaldeep dives.
This a borderline aerial behavior - as it still happens above the
water line, but is not very active.
Playing Behavior 
Spinners
often make "play-toys" of objects intheir environment.
In our area, the tradewinds blow lightweight plastic grocery bags
into the ocean. The dolphins drape these over their fins and pass
them back and forth.
Note: Click on the picture to the right to see dolphins
play video >>
Echelon Swimming
Newborn
calves can be seen swimming near  their mothers head for about a week
before they swim nearer to her dorsal fin. This is termed as echelon
swimming. Dolphins carry their young inside their womb and gestation
is about 12 months for a bottlenose. The baby emerges tail first,
and will suckle from its mother for up to 4 years.
Breathing
Oceanic
dolphins have evolved a method of breathing without  surfacing from
the water. They blow a bubble when near the water surface and then
quickly draw breath in when the bubble forms a bridge between
the blowhole and the air, through the water. Dolphins breathe through
theirblowhole located at the top of their head. A dolphin may empty
and refill its lungs in less than a fifth of second. As the dolphin
breathes the air leaves the blowhole at speeds of over 100mph. To
sleep, a dolphin must shut down only half of its brain, as its breathing
is under voluntary control.
Social Behavior
Spinner
dolphin's pectoral flippers are used  to steer them through the water,
and they also use them to stroke one another, increasing the social
bond between them. Dolphin "friends" may swim along face
to face touching flippers. Dolphins that appear to be closely bonded
may swim in synchrony, twisting, turning and swimming in perfect harmony
together.
Whistles
Spinner
Dolphins can be very noisy under and above water, click here to hear
for underwater video and sound of spinner
dolphins vocalizing and a signature
whistle.
Hear
a dolphin click train
Our wildlife tours focus on education and conservation so that an
interactive relationship can be maintained in the best interest of
both humans and dolphins. We strive to foster admiration and deep respect for
these wonder-ful marine mammals.
SPINNER DOLPHINS l PANTROPICAL SPOTTED DOLPHIN l BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN l ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHIN l Whales l Sea Turtles l Monk
Seals l Seabirds l Coral Spawning l Manta
and Spotted Eagle Rays l Sharks
of Hawaii | Dolphin Documentary l l Dolphin
Pictures and Videos
Take Action l Whale and Dolphin Research l About the Wild Dolphin Foundation l Dolphin Tours| Photos l Other Resources l Internships
Wild
Side Specialty Tours
Tours
with Integrity - on the island of Oahu:
Waianae Boat Harbor
Oahu Hawaii 96792
(Dolphins near Ko Olina)
TEL (808) 306-7273
FAX (808) 668-4075
email: reservations@sailhawaii.com
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