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~*Killer Whale*~
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Killer Whale
Noun: A black and white predatory whale (Orcinus orca) that feeds on large fish, squid, and sometimes dolphins and seals. Also called orca.
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Killer whales are found all over the world. They are found mostly in cold water but can also be found in warm water areas. Killer whales usually only migrate if other fish move or their prey move.
Killer whales use the black coloration on the top of their bodies to blend in with the mucky waters from an above view. They use the white on their stomachs to mesh with the sand and light sea from an under view. The whale lives in a group with other whales called a pod. To establish "social classes" in the pod, whales often head butt, tooth scratch, or smack their tails on the water.
Fish, squids, seals, sea lions, walruses, birds, sea turtles, otters, penguins, cetaceans, polar bears, reptiles, and even a moose, have all been found in the stomach of killer whales!
Females can range from anywhere between 16-19 feet and weigh 3,000-8,000 pounds.
Males can range from anywhere between 19-22 feet and weigh between 8,000 and 12,000 pounds.
~*Manatee*~
Manatee
- Noun: Any of various herbivorous aquatic mammals of the genus Trichechus, having paddlelike front flippers and a horizontally flattened tail and found in warm coastal waters of Florida, northern South America, West Africa, and the Caribbean.
The manatee's closest relative is the elephant. Manatees can be found in shallow water, slow moving rivers, saltwater, bays, canals, and costal areas.
They are large gray-brown mammals with large flat tails. They also have two flippers with 3 or 4 nails on each flipper. Their faces contain a large snout with whiskers.
Most of the Manatee's time is spent eating, resting and traveling. They come up for air every 3-5 minuetes.
They can also live up to 60 years! Most of their deaths are caused by collision with watercrafts. Manatees also die from swallowing hooks, getting trapped in flood control structures and nets, and vandalism.
The manatee is an endangered species and is protected with the Endangered Species Act of 1972.
The Manatee is also called the "Sea Cow"!
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~*Bottled Nose Dolphin*~
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Bottle-nosed dolphin
- Noun: Any of several marine mammals of the genus Tursiops, especially T. truncatus, widely distributed in temperate and tropical waters and characterized by a short protruding beak, a large stocky body, and a prominent falcate dorsal fin. They are also called bottlenose dolphins.
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Bottle-nosed dolphins are often found in shallow coastal shores, bays, and in rivers' mouths.
The bottle-nosed dolphin is a very social animal. When looking for food, dolphins hunt in groups.
They are very smart animals. Dolphins are known to follow boats and feed off the fish that are thrown back into the water. Their main food sources are fish, shrimp, and squid.
Fisherman often find the dolphin to be very helpful. Dolphins usually swim above tuna fish. By doing this the fisherman know of where the fish are.
Bottle-nosed dolphins can be 10-14 feet and 350-600 pounds! They can also live anywhere between 25 and 30 years. They have dark grey on their backs and light grey on their sides.
Dolphins communicate by clicking and whistling. That sound echos. It bounces off objects letting the dolphin know where things are and also letting it communicate with other animals.
A dolphin's brain is bigger than a humans brain, making them one of the most intelligant creatures on earth!
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