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The Physical Characteristics Of Bottlenose Dolphins

admin — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Bottlenose Dolphins are one of the most commonly recognized types of dolphins. These beautiful animals typically live in groups that are referred to as pods. The size of these pods can vary tremendously.

These dolphins are grey in color. This grey coloring can be present in shades of varying degrees from dark to light grey and can sometimes appear almost white on their undersides. They can average anywhere from 6 to 13 feet in height and weigh in at 300-1000 pounds. Males are typically longer and heavier than their female counterparts.

They are easily recognizable in part due to their pointy like snout which helps give them a sleek, streamlined appearance. Their skin is smooth to the touch and has no hair present. They have a blowhole on the top of their head that is covered by a muscular flap that seals tight when not being used for breathing.

The flukes or lobes of the tail and the dorsal fin contain no bone or muscle. The Bottlenose Dolphin is able to propel themselves by moving the flukes in addition to moving the pectoral fins which are located at the sides of the body. The pectoral fins however, do contain bones.

The Environmental Hazards Facing Bottlenose Dolphins

admin — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The bottlenose dolphin is one of the most common known members of ocean dolphins. Since their diets consist primarily of school fish, bottlenose dolphins are effected by environmental hazards that effect their food source as well as themselves. So when there are large oil spills, like one that happened in the Gulf Coast, it isn’t just the plants or small fish that are effected, it is all the marine life in the area. Bottlenose dolphins are also effected by the chemical perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, as it messes with their immune system. Cadmium and mercury are also known for causing kidney problems and cognitive issues for bottlenose dolphins. But the biggest problem is environmental changes. This can be harassment from humans, injures caused by nets or other things put into the ocean, water pollution, and the reduction of their food sources. Changes to their habits also can effect these dolphins, even if it is just the increase of freshwater into their saltwater habitats. Another issues that might be present, but has not been tested yet, is the concept that the raising water temperatures might effect reproduction rates for bottlenose dolphins. The US has banned dolphin hunting, however, this is not the case throughout the entire world and it is something that we all need to be aware of in our area and help to stop.

The Rare Penguins Of The Galapagos Islands

admin — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The one, rare species of penguin that lives on the Galapagos Islands is fittingly called the Galapagos Penguin. It’s the only penguin that’s indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere. Most live on the coasts of Fernandina and Isabel Islands. They live in raucous colonies near the shore, and dive off the coastal waters to catch fish and shellfish.

The Galapagos Penguin is about 19 inches high and weighs about five and half pounds, with males being a little bigger than the females.Additional information can be found at http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dan_emma2010/1/1309827592/tpod.html. Like most penguins, they have the familiar black back and white front, though there are white markings on the head, and a black band around the neck. Galapagos Penguins can live about 20 years, but few live that long in the wild.

Like lots of penguins, the Galapagos Penguin has an intricate courtship ritual that might look amusing to the human onlooker, and like other penguins they mate for life. Female Galapagos Penguins are mature when they’re about three or four years old, and the males when they’re a couple of years older. They make their nests on the ground and aren’t above stealing pebbles and twigs from their neighbors to prettify them. Both parents incubate their eggs and care for their young. Usually, the female lays two eggs with every clutch. There may be two or three clutches every year, especially if food is plentiful. It takes about three to six months before the chick is independent.

Things to do With Your Ocean-Interested Kids

admin — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

So your kids have developed a newfound interest in the ocean and you’d like to do all you can to encourage their creativity. Here are a few suggestions for things you can do to keep them wondering about the possibilities of marine life!
Get them on the web: Get a subscription to DSL or wildblue deals internet and download some fun and educational oceanic games. You can play together and you may learn something, too!
Go to a museum: Many museums nationwide have displays concerning ocean life and even seafaring…your kids will love being able to touch and feel the exhibits and you’ll both learn something new about the possibilities within the ocean.
Watch TV: Check out your channels to find some oceanic shows and movies like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or Sponge Bob Square Pants. While they might not be completely factual they’ll be a lot of fun and provide a basis for asking and answering questions for your little ones.
It’s great your kids are interested in the ocean – keep them that way by cultivating their minds!

Top Five Common Myths About Sharks

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Sharks are mysterious creatures for many reasons including the fact that they live under water and their whereabouts are often unknown. Another reason is because media attention has made sharks seem like vicious animals to the likes of which no one would want to encounter. Believe it or not there are a lot of things about sharks that we may believe to be true but in fact they are not. To illustrate, here are the top five common myths about sharks:

1) Sharks hunt human beings

There is no proof that sharks actively seek out human beings as prey. Although they have killed human beings this is not their preferred choice of prey and only attack when they believe they are threatened. Often they mistake humans for something else.

2) Sharks are stupid

Sharks are actually smart predators and their intelligence has often been compared to small mammals and birds. Considering the circumstances they are rather intelligent beings.

3) Nothing preys on sharks

This is absolutely untrue. Many species will attack and kill sharks such as killer whales. Parasites are also known to cause many shark deaths. Even sharks themselves will kill their own kind.

4) Sharks go after surfboards

This is a rather comical myth in that sharks most likely have no idea what surfboards really are. The problem here is that sharks look at silhouettes from below and surfboards, just like humans, are often mistaken as something else.

5) Sharks will kill and eat anything

It may appear to be true but sharks are actually choosy about what they eat. They prefer to get meals that are worth their time and energy. So, in fact they will not eat just anything.

Types Of Sharks Found In The Atlantic

admin — Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Many species of shark live in the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Maine in the U.S. down the coast to Florida.
Most eat other fish and are predatory, meaning they search for food. Many are also considered opportunistic. If they come across an injured fish, they will eat that or scavenge another predator’s kill.

The most common species in the Atlantic are the hammerheads, the sandtiger, the bull shark, the small blacktip shark, tiger shark, and sandbar sharks. Most do not come close to the shore line, although the sandbar and bull sharks have been known to come with a few hundred feet of the shore. Bull sharks can be aggressive and defensive, and on rare occasions have attacked humans.

Remember though, most sharks do not attack humans and in the rare event they do, it’s because they think it’s another form of prey. The notorious great white shark, featured in the movie, “Jaws”, rarely is seen in the Atlantic, mostly because the waters tend to be colder.

The more common sharks in the Atlantic, the sandbar and hammerheads can range in size from a few feet to about twenty feet in length. They prefer warmer and deeper water.

The Five Best Scuba Diving Sites In The Atlantic

admin — Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Scuba diving enthusiast travel all over the world to find their next best dive spot. A sport that involves intensive training is thrilling and rewarding for its participants. There are many fantastic locations that offer great scuba diving opportunities but we are going to highlight five of the best in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Florida Keys offer some of the most breathtaking scuba diving opportunities in the United States. Dive in the tropical blue waters and explore the many coral reefs of the area. A variety of marine life and shipwrecks are also available to search.

Scuba diving in Nassau Bahamas is a once in a lifetime opportunity as they offer some of the best scuba diving in the entire world. They offer reasonable scuba diving rates in warm crystal waters.

St Thomas in the Caribbean attracts thousands of divers every year ready to get up close and personal with the beautiful and colorful marine life. There are many opportunities to explore various wrecks, reefs, and mini walls.

Scuba diving off one of the beautiful extensive Atlantic shores of Spain is a must for a diving enthusiast. Keep in mind that many of the Scuba diving instructors do not speak English but this should not stop you as you will experience some of the most breathtaking dives of your life.

Bermuda offers a wide array of diving opportunities in the Atlantic Ocean. With fascinating underwater caves and incredible coral reefs the aquatic environment of Bermuda is perfect.Keep looking, there’s more: Explore the UK’s waters