What makes dolphins happy

These mammals have perfectly evolved to thrive in the ocean, where they deserve to live freely. Captivity simply cannot provide an adequate environment for these wild species. Dolphins living in captive conditions face circumstances vastly different than those of the ocean.

The surroundings are bare and sterile, with little mental stimulation or diversion. Many captive dolphins are regularly treated with ulcer medication or antidepressant medication to alleviate the frustration of captivity.

Space is limited, which sparks aggression and frustration. When faced with an aggressor, dolphins in the wild can easily swim away to avoid an interaction. Instead captive dolphins often bear scars or rake marks, evidence of a clash with a tank mate. Prolonged confinement in such small quarters can lead to depression and self-harming behaviors. Numerous documented examples of such behavior have been observed in both dolphins and orcas, such as repeated smashing of heads against tank walls or gnawing on walls and gates.

Dolphins living in captive conditions are often placed in unnatural groupings with dolphins that have come from different families and species, making communication between them difficult or impossible. A team of French researchers tried to gauge what dolphins in captivity look forward to most. The study came as part of a three-year project meant to measure dolphin welfare in captivity.

Isabella Clegg designed several experiments to see how the dolphins felt about certain situations. These were primarily based on interpreting their body postures, activity levels, and other types of behavior.

The experiments included three settings. One was the control, in which the dolphins were left alone to do what they wanted. The second involved adding toys to the pool but leaving the dolphins alone. The third one involved a human trainer who came in and played around with the animals.

The animals showed this anticipation by "spy hopping", the action of peering above the surface and looking in the direction that trainers usually approached from. The dolphins would also increase their level of activity in the pool and spend more time at the edge.

The question of whether it is right or wrong to hold these animals in captivity has long been a point of contention, particularly in France. The lifting of that ban was a huge relief for Birgitta Mercera, who runs the dolphinarium.

She told the BBC that allowing the dolphins to breed, to raise their own offspring, was a critical part of what she suggested was a happy - though very different - life from that in the wild. And it's our priority to look after them.

Their leaping from the water during training sessions, and their curious approaches to the edge of the pool appear to be enthusiastic. But Dr Susanne Schultz from the University of Manchester, who has studied the social behaviour of wild marine mammals, points out that the study cannot tell us "if a dolphin in captivity is happier than it would be if it was in the wild".

According to the UK charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation, there are at least 3, cetaceans - the group of "toothed whales" that dolphins belong to - in captivity in 50 countries around the world.

Bottlenose dolphins live throughout the world in warmer waters. They have a number of interesting features ranging from how they look to how they interact with each other. Bottlenose dolphins are varying shades of grey with a lighter belly counter-shading , which helps conceal them from predators.

They have a streamlined body that allows them to swim up to 20 mph. The typical length for an adult bottlenose dolphin can range between 6 to over 12 feet and they can weigh over a 1, pounds. The bottlenose dolphin's diet varies depending on the region where they live. These skillful predators primarily eat fish, but can also hunt other marine life such as squid. Dolphins have some sophisticated ways to catch a meal. Some of their tactics include herding prey into muddy areas and even catching leaping fish out of the air.

They tend to hunt in a group, which makes the foraging process very effective. Dolphins thrive in both tropical and cooler, more temperate waters. Humans have encountered dolphin pods both near shore and in deep offshore waters like the Indian Ocean. Some dolphin groups stay in one area for a lifetime while others migrate. When their calves are born they typically weigh around pounds, compared to full-grown dolphins that can weigh over a 1, pounds.

That's quite a difference! Bottlenose dolphins start out quite dark in color, lightening as they mature. Dolphins are under threat worldwide, mainly human generated threats. Two of the biggest issues are entanglement in fishing gear and nets, and pollution. Dolphins often pursue the same fish species that commercial fishing ships are hunting and may get accidentally caught in their nets. They can also get tangled in discarded ropes and gear, causing a significant amount of marine mammal deaths each year.

Finally, the human-created pollution that is affecting the world's oceans is causing a wide variety of problems for dolphins, ranging from diseases to difficulty finding food.

Dolphins do not mate for life. Dolphin reproduction often involves putting on displays including posturing and vocalizations to attract a mate. Dolphins gestate for 12 months and calves are typically born tail first, and they are primarily cared for by the mothers and other related and unrelated females.

Dolphin habitats can be are found around the world, from tropical to temperate regions. Although they are warm-blooded, they tend to avoid oceans near the Arctic and Antarctic. The bottlenose dolphin, one of the most well-known species, prefers water between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, each species has its own preferences. Dolphin habitats can be found everywhere from open oceans to coastlines to river basins. Some species are migratory and adapt well to changes in their environment.

They can move to areas in their temperature range that offer sufficient numbers of fish. Other species are closely tied to one place and come under threat when humans begin developing the area.

This is home to several species including bottlenose, spinner, and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Dolphins who live in the deep ocean are better adapted to tolerating cold water than their shore-loving counterparts. Here you'll find the preferred home of bottlenose, humpback, and spotted dolphins.

These species have been found from Nova Scotia to Patagonia and everywhere in between. The Indian Ocean is the native environment for large numbers of bottlenose, spinner, and common dolphins. Off the coast of East Africa, you'll also find the highly endangered humpback dolphin. World Wildlife Organization. Dolphins are best known for living in the ocean, but there are also endangered freshwater varieties.

Did you know that there are dolphins in the Amazon River? The Amazon River dolphin is comparatively small, weighing up to pounds, and adults are bright pink.

Despite living throughout the world, dolphins are currently facing a lot of threats. Climate change, pollution including trash and debris, and aggressive fishing operations are impacting all species of dolphins. This is why marine mammal facilities are important for protecting and researching these animals.

They are able to educate the public about these remarkable mammals, promote environmental stewardship, and give scientists an opportunity to understand the species more in depth.

Are dolphins endangered? Yes, there are dozens of species of dolphin that are endangered and now extinct. Some of the most threatened species are the ones that come into contact with humans most frequently. This includes the Yangtze River dolphin, the Maui dolphin, the Ganges River dolphin, and the short-beaked common dolphin.

Each of these species face significant challenges for their future. The Yangtze River dolphin is not officially considered extinct, but there have been no confirmed sightings for nearly 20 years. What may have happened? This species could have been a victim of human development including:. The Maui dolphin, found off the coast of New Zealand, is a highly endangered species with an estimated less than members left.

The species decline is due to many issues, one of which is that they are very slow breeders.