Show Dolphins Some Love on National Dolphin Day
Show Dolphins Some Love on National Dolphin Day
April 14th is National Dolphin Day. In Hawaii, we are fortunate enough to have eight species of Nai’a that call our ocean waters home. Standing on the shore, you are most likely to spot the spinner, but the bottlenose, spotted and rough-toothed are also common. This year, head to the coast to see if you can see the telltale signs of a dolphin pod passing by or take a dolphin-sighting boat tour. Before you go on your dolphin-spotting mission, get to know more about this fascinating marine mammal.
Get to Know the Dolphin
These animals may look a lot like fish, but they are actually mammals. Dolphins are very social and highly intelligent. Their groups are called pods. Each pod usually contains up to 12 individuals, but in areas where there is a lot of available food, individual pods merge to form super-pods. Super-pods may contain as many as 1,000 dolphins!
Dolphins communicate using sound and can hear much better than humans. They have the ability to hear at frequencies at least 10 times higher than humans. They demonstrate the ability to solve complex problems and have good memories. Dolphins are also self-aware. They are one of the few animals that can recognize themselves in a mirror, a trait that has long been associated with high intelligence.
There is so much to appreciate about these graceful and beautiful creatures! Take time on April 14th to show the Nai’a some love.
Waipahu Waikele
Kailua
Pet Specialists of Hawaii
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