Dolphins Habitat
Dolphin’s Habitat – Where These Creatures Live
Many people are familiar with some dolphin facts, but the dolphin’s habitat may not be one of those facts. People have heard stories about how dolphins have saved swimmers from drowning or from shark attacks, but where do these smart and gentle creatures live?
The general answer to that question is that they live all over the world! They like shallow water, which is no surprise to anyone who has sat on the beach and had the pleasure of watching dolphins play and frolic just off the shore.
Some dolphins prefer warm water, while others do just as well in cooler temperatures. There are dolphins in all types of water including both fresh and saltwater.
One of the most well-known types of dolphin is the bottlenosed dolphin. Anyone who has seen the old television show Flipper has seen this type of dolphin.
Bottlenosed dolphin’s habitat typically includes warmer waters. They love the shallow waters found along coast lines, but they also live in the open sea. The dolphins that dwell in colder waters usually look for some place warmer in which to spend their winters.
Bottlenosed dolphins live in social groups called pods. They travel together, hunt together and many of the relationships that develop within pods last for the entire life spans of the dolphins.
While some dolphins are endangered, the bottlenose dolphin is not, at this time, in immediate danger of extinction. They do have natural predators including certain sharks and Orca whales, also knows and Killer whales.
Even though they are not endangered, they are still protected in any U. S. waters.
Sadly, the other dangers facing this and other types of dolphins have to do with man. Bottlenosed dolphins are often trapped in the nets of fishermen. Also, pollution to the waters in which the dolphins live can also have an impact on these beautiful creatures.
While there are plenty of opportunities to see a bottlenosed dolphin in captivity, many would prefer the chance to see one in its natural environment. Plenty of aquariums use these creatures in the “dolphin shows”, but there is nothing like seeing a dolphin jump nearly 20 feet out of the ocean.
If you would like to see a dolphin in the wild, there are a few ways to go about that. One of the most intriguing options is a kayak dolphin tour. In areas where these dolphins are plentiful, tours are offered in which you can kayak out to where the dolphins often dwell.
This method of seeing dolphins gives you the best chance of getting very up close and personal with the creatures. Another option is a dolphin watch on a larger boat.
These are offered at varying times throughout the year. When they are offered in a certain location will depend, obviously, on when the dolphins tend to be most active in that area.
You will usually spend a few hours onboard a boat while the tour operator looks for a pod of dolphins. Those who are very lucky will catch the dolphins in a playful mood and will be able to see them jumping and playing.
A dolphin’s habitat is, obviously, the sea. The opportunity to see them live as they were intended, rather than in a large tank at an aquarium, should not be missed.