National Dolphin Day . April 14th
NATIONAL DOLPHIN DAY IN PENSACOLA BEACH
(Post includes recent random dolphin shots taken from both Frisky1 and Frisky Mermaid)
Each year on April 14th, National Dolphin Day recognizes the social and intelligent mammals of the water.
Dolphins are cetacean mammals that are related to whales and porpoises. They range in size from 4 feet to up to 30 feet; dolphins are among almost forty species in 17 genera. Found worldwide, they prefer the shallower seas of the continental shelves.
As carnivores, their diet consists of mostly fish and squid.
Male dolphin – bull
Female dolphin – cow
Young dolphin – calf
Group of dolphins – school or pod
Social and swift
Dolphin Facts
Dolphins are known to have acute eyesight both in and out of the water. They also have a well-developed sense of touch, with free nerve endings densely packed in the skin. Since they additionally have such acute hearing, they can hear frequencies ten times or more above the upper limit of what adult humans can. Dolphins are also capable of making a broad range of sounds using nasal air sacs located just below the blowhole.
Living in pods of up to a dozen dolphins, they are highly social animals. Pods do merge in areas where there is an abundance of food, forming superpods. These pods may exceed 1,000 dolphins. Dolphins can, and do, establish strong bonds within their pods. Even when one is injured or ill, they will stay, helping them to breathe by bringing them to the surface if needed.
You will see the dolphins frequently leaping above the water’s surface. They do this for various reasons; when traveling, jumping saves them energy as there is less friction while in the air. Their leaps even have a name called porpoising. Some other explanations for leaping include orientation, social display, fighting, non-verbal communication, entertainment, and attempting to dislodge parasites.
Dolphin Conservation
The United States National Marine Mammal Foundation conducted a study revealing that dolphins, like humans, develop a natural form of type 2 diabetes. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of the disease and new treatments for both humans and dolphins.
All marine mammals are protected in the United States by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which makes it illegal to harass, feed, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal. The Marine Mammal Center has special permits from the federal government that allow us to respond to stranded marine mammals.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was passed in 1972 to maintain the health and stability of the marine ecosystem. Marine mammals were in danger of diminishing, some to the point of extinction, as a result of human activities like hunting and fishing. The MMPA protects all marine mammals, including cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), sirenians (manatees and dugongs), sea otters and polar bears within the waters of the United States.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalDolphinDay
Learn more about dolphins, their habitats and our locals, take a tour with Frisky Boat Tours watch a documentary about dolphins, support conversation efforts or create some mermazing dolphin art. Don’t forget to share your knowledge about dolphins with others, too!.
Like dolphins in other areas, those in Pensacola face threats such as habitat loss, pollution, boat traffic, and entanglement in fishing gear. Conservation efforts aim to address these challenges and protect the local dolphin population. To find out more about dolphins in your area,
For the most current and detailed information on specific conservation efforts for dolphins in you area check with your local environmental organizations, marine research institutions, or government agencies actively involved in marine conservation, in our case, the Florida Panhandle region.
Use #NationalDolphinDay to post on social media.