Dolphins
Dolphins are aquatic mammals members of the cetacean group. Large whales, sperm whales, marine dolphins and fresh water dolphins or “toninas”, are aquatic mammals showing specialized adaptations for living in aquatic habitats. Their fore limbs are very modified, so much that they conform fins allowing them to swim and to move in the water with agility. Their rear limbs have atrophied and are replaced by a muscular fin allows them to move with forceful vertical movements. Cetaceans have small sized eyes and ears. Two groups are distinguished: the odontoceti which possess teeth in their jaws and, the misticeti possessing horny laminar structures arranged like a comb, instead of teeth called baleens used to filter their food, Dolphins are intelligent easily trained animals. Up to three different species can be often observed in Venezuelan coastal waters. They are very tolerant of closeness and contact with humans. There are those who think that some day Man and dolphins will be able to communicate and to know each other better. |
