Adaptions:
_Dolphins adapted to their environment. Because of these
adaptations they are able to survive on their own. One of the features
on a dolphin is its long nose. This very strong nose helps them protect
itself against its predators, like killing sharks. A fish's back fin
sways from side to side. One of the ways humans recognize dolphins are
when they fly up into the air from the water. This is caused by the
dolphins tail which goes up and down to give the dolphin lift and help
it dive into the air.
The dolphins fat helps this
mammal stay warm in cold water. It also helps the dolphin swim. The dolphin breathes from its blowhole and closes the blowhole before
entering the water so water will not come in.
Their body coloring ranges from darker grey near their dorsal fin to a much lighter grey on their underbelly. These different shades of gray are an adaptation that actually helps protect them from predators. The darker color on the top of them makes them blend in with the water when viewed they are from above. The coloring on their underside makes them less visible from predators below because their almost white belly makes them less noticeable by predators against the sunlight filtering down from above.
The size and the percentage of body fat they have is another excellent adaptation of the Bottlenose dolphin to its environment. The members of this species are found in cooler waters and tend to be larger and have more body fat than their cousins found in warmer, shallower waters.
Their pointy and sharp teeth are located in elongated upper and lower jaws which undoubtedly gave them the bottlenose name. This assist them when capturing prey.
When searching for food, this dolphin uses a method called biological sonar. They locate their dinner by producing sounds and listening for the echo. An interruptions in the echo indicates possible sources of food. As the dolphin moves closer to its prey, the echo becomes louder, letting them zero in on the location of the object in which they are interested in.
Bottlenose dolphins also have very good eyesight. They have a double-slit pupil which gives them the ability to see well in the air and underwater.
Their body coloring ranges from darker grey near their dorsal fin to a much lighter grey on their underbelly. These different shades of gray are an adaptation that actually helps protect them from predators. The darker color on the top of them makes them blend in with the water when viewed they are from above. The coloring on their underside makes them less visible from predators below because their almost white belly makes them less noticeable by predators against the sunlight filtering down from above.
The size and the percentage of body fat they have is another excellent adaptation of the Bottlenose dolphin to its environment. The members of this species are found in cooler waters and tend to be larger and have more body fat than their cousins found in warmer, shallower waters.
Their pointy and sharp teeth are located in elongated upper and lower jaws which undoubtedly gave them the bottlenose name. This assist them when capturing prey.
When searching for food, this dolphin uses a method called biological sonar. They locate their dinner by producing sounds and listening for the echo. An interruptions in the echo indicates possible sources of food. As the dolphin moves closer to its prey, the echo becomes louder, letting them zero in on the location of the object in which they are interested in.
Bottlenose dolphins also have very good eyesight. They have a double-slit pupil which gives them the ability to see well in the air and underwater.
Lack of Adaptions:
_Having gills like a fish means that they don't have to
come above water to breathe and would probably be an adaptation that would
help them out a lot.
Having sharper teeth instead of cone shaped teeth would help them chew more efficiently and make it to where they could eat more types of food and animals.
Having sharper teeth instead of cone shaped teeth would help them chew more efficiently and make it to where they could eat more types of food and animals.
Citations:
_"BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS - Adaptations for an Aquatic Environment." SeaWorld/Busch Gardens ANIMALS - HOME. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2012. <http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/bottlenose/adaptations.htm>.
Connery, Joanne, and Development Associate. "bottlenose dolphin." Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association protecting our ocean wilderness through public stewardship. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2012. <http://www.farallones.org/e_newsletter/2006-08/bottlenosedolphin.htm>.
"DOLPHINS." ThinkQuest : Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://library.thinkquest.org/3935/DOLPHINS.HTM>.
Connery, Joanne, and Development Associate. "bottlenose dolphin." Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association protecting our ocean wilderness through public stewardship. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2012. <http://www.farallones.org/e_newsletter/2006-08/bottlenosedolphin.htm>.
"DOLPHINS." ThinkQuest : Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://library.thinkquest.org/3935/DOLPHINS.HTM>.