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Marine Mammals
Several million years ago, the first animals moved from the sea to colonize the land. Eventually, world-wide changes in climate and geography convinced some of the mammals to move back to the sea. These animals have since evolved to be perfectly adapted to their environment. Most of these animals comprise a group known as the cetaceans, which includes the dolphins and whales. The other main group of marine mammals fall into the pinnipedia family, which includes the seals and sea lions. Breathing air and then diving, cetaceans can hold their breath for unimaginable lengths of time. They are peaceful animals, and they are quite intelligent. Some of the largest brains in the world of mammals are found in the oceans. These animals have exhibited remarkable abilities to communicate and learn. Their natural lives are spent in close family groups caring for their young and each other. Their songs can be heard echoing for miles beneath the waves. It is shameful to think that mankind hunted most of these magnificent animals to the brink of extinction. But today, under the protection of most of the world's governments, they are coming back. In marine parks around the world, their ambassadors are helping to save their kind by helping us to better understand them. Below is a listing of some of the world's more familiar marine mammals.
Several million years ago, the first animals moved from the sea to colonize the land. Eventually, world-wide changes in climate and geography convinced some of the mammals to move back to the sea. These animals have since evolved to be perfectly adapted to their environment. Most of these animals comprise a group known as the cetaceans, which includes the dolphins and whales. The other main group of marine mammals fall into the pinnipedia family, which includes the seals and sea lions. Breathing air and then diving, cetaceans can hold their breath for unimaginable lengths of time. They are peaceful animals, and they are quite intelligent. Some of the largest brains in the world of mammals are found in the oceans. These animals have exhibited remarkable abilities to communicate and learn. Their natural lives are spent in close family groups caring for their young and each other. Their songs can be heard echoing for miles beneath the waves. It is shameful to think that mankind hunted most of these magnificent animals to the brink of extinction. But today, under the protection of most of the world's governments, they are coming back. In marine parks around the world, their ambassadors are helping to save their kind by helping us to better understand them. Below is a listing of some of the world's more familiar marine mammals.
Atlantic Bottlenosed Dolphin
(Tursiops melaena) The Bottlenosed Dolphin is perhaps the most familiar of the sea mammals. Their gentle nature has endeared them in our hearts. These highly social animals have actually been known to rescue humans from danger. They are intelligent creatures with a brain that is much larger than ours
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin
(Stenella frontalis) The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin looks very similar to the bottlenosed dolphin except for the noticeable body spots. They are generally somewhat smaller than their cousins. As with all dolphins they travel in close family groups called pods.
(Globicephala melaena) The Pilot Whale is a small member of the whale family, averaging about 10 feet in length. They are perhaps better known for the mass strandings in which entire pods of these animals will beach themselves in an apparent attempt at suicide. This behavior has yet to be explained.
(Eschrichtius robustus) The Gray Whale is among the best known large whales. They can frequently seen swimming along the shores of the western states. These animals too are just starting to recover from excessive hunting. They grow to 50 feet and are often seen covered with patches of barnacles.
(Trichechus manatus) The Manatee is a graceful and peaceful creature. They feed on water plants, and inhabit the waterways and shores of Florida. Other species are found in the Indian ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. They are slow creatures, and are in danger of extinction due to careless boaters. Most manatees have boat motor scars on their backs.
(Zalophus californianus) The Sea Lion is probably the best known member of the pinniped family. They inhabit the western coast of the United States and Canada. These animals are clumsy on land, but underwater their graceful ballets can reach speeds of 25 mph. They can dive to over 1000 feet.
(Enhydra lutris) These adorable animals were once hunted to the brink of extinction for their fur. Inhabiting the coastal waters of the western United States, they are now protected and are making a comeback. They are often seen lying on their backs eating their favorite food - crustaceans
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