Pantropical spotted dolphin

By Genevive C.By Genevive C.By Genevive C.

AppearanceI am the smallest dolphin in

the ocean. My weight is 90-115 kg. My length is 1.5-2.0 m. My teeth are small and I have up to 48 in my lower jaw. I have a narrow beak, I also have a blow hole on top of my back. I am blackish on my beak and back, I have grayish sides and flippers and my underparts are white. Also my eyes have black rings around them.

Habitat

I live in the tropical and subtropical oceans of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. I mainly live in Hawaii and the gulf of Mexico. I need to be in warm waters.

Diet Well, I eat many

different things, I will tell you what I eat in the ocean. I eat many varieties of fish, shrimp and other crustaceans. I also eat squid near the surface. Eels and herring are also a good meal. Now you know what I eat.

Reproduction My young develop

in my tummy for 11-12 months. They are alive when born from May to September. We have babies every 2 years. They are born with a limp fin and they grow very quickly.

Care of offspring

Well, I take care of my babies by nursing them for 11 months. They stay with me and I protect and teach them for about 8 years.

Natural Enemies I have many enemies and they

are tiger sharks, duskey sharks, bull sharks and orcas. It can sometimes be very scary because they come right at us. The way I prevent getting caught sometimes is by hiding behind rocks and swimming very fast. I also communicate with other dolphins by clicking and also whistling, especially for warning. My skin camouflages me in rocky places.

Am I Endangered? Well, sadly yes, I

am endangered. Humans pollute the ocean and I also get caught in fisherman’s nets. I hope this doesn’t happen again.

Bibliography

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/assets_c/2010/03/herring-thumb-480xauto-1120.jpghttp://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/images/stenatte.jpg

http://www.edwardtbabinski.us/whales/hind_limb_buds/embryo_labeled.jpghttp://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000pj6HuCWquEI/s/700/Spotted-Dolphin-Pantropical-0122.jpg

http://www.itvwild.com/dk_species_img/ocean418botdol_002.gif

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vKsvJvSiSuE/Tj1U_k9MC0I/AAAAAAAAAnA/zM2TOfoGF-w/s640/Atlantic+Spotted+Dolphin+3.JPGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Killerwhales_jumping.jpg/220px-Killerwhales_jumping.jpg

http://ayshasanqour03.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/chibi_dolphin_by_gryphonia.png

http://www.animalclipart.net/animal_clipart_images/cartoon_dolphin_character_wearing_swimming_trunks_0515-1006-2904-3334_SMU.jpg