The Dolphins
The world is filled with an astonoshing array of strange and wonderful creatures. It's amazing to think that, swimming freely somehwere out in the oceans, there are colossals over thirty metres long, warm-blooded and breathing like we do. If you're fortunate enough to have seen a whale or dolphin in the wild, you're likely to describe the experience as thrilling, captivating, or even emotional. True, there is something indescribable that draws us towards these creatures.
Dolphins are often characterised as cute, friendly, and even spiritual beings.
This is complete nonsense. Some species are known to form bachelor male groups that seek to assault females. I have been in a boat rocked wildly by male dolphins pinning females to
the hull to penetrate her. Orca (the largest dolphin) regularly torment, play with, and bash their prey for hours before finally consuming them. Rape, ambushes, infanticide, and violent assault are all part of the dolphins' behavioural repertoire. We often forget that, at the end of the day, these predators are simply another link in the complex web of life and death that constitutes the natural world.
Still, I love dolphins. Dusky dolphins are among the most acrobatic animals on the planet. Found in coastal waters of the southern hemisphere, they often form huge pods of between one and three thousand individuals. Nothing compares with the spectacle of one of these groups swimming past - the ocean truly seems to boil with a flurry of fins, eyes, tails, and blowholes.
Although I am a scientist and should officially avoid giving human attributes to non-human animals, I can't help but say that dusky dolphins are so darned cute. Especially the wee babies! I squeal just a little bit every time I see one.
In addition to dusky dolphins, Jody and Nick have introduced me to the more sleek and elusive common dolphin, the Hector dolphin (the world's smallest), the bottlenose dolphin, and even a few orca.
Dolphins are often characterised as cute, friendly, and even spiritual beings.
This is complete nonsense. Some species are known to form bachelor male groups that seek to assault females. I have been in a boat rocked wildly by male dolphins pinning females to
the hull to penetrate her. Orca (the largest dolphin) regularly torment, play with, and bash their prey for hours before finally consuming them. Rape, ambushes, infanticide, and violent assault are all part of the dolphins' behavioural repertoire. We often forget that, at the end of the day, these predators are simply another link in the complex web of life and death that constitutes the natural world.
Still, I love dolphins. Dusky dolphins are among the most acrobatic animals on the planet. Found in coastal waters of the southern hemisphere, they often form huge pods of between one and three thousand individuals. Nothing compares with the spectacle of one of these groups swimming past - the ocean truly seems to boil with a flurry of fins, eyes, tails, and blowholes.Although I am a scientist and should officially avoid giving human attributes to non-human animals, I can't help but say that dusky dolphins are so darned cute. Especially the wee babies! I squeal just a little bit every time I see one.
In addition to dusky dolphins, Jody and Nick have introduced me to the more sleek and elusive common dolphin, the Hector dolphin (the world's smallest), the bottlenose dolphin, and even a few orca.
