Beautiful
sea mammal Dolphins
Dolphins are highly intelligent
marine mammals and are part of the family of toothed whales that includes orcas
and pilot whales. They are found worldwide, mostly in shallow seas of the
continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. Dolphin
coloration varies, but they are generally gray in color with darker backs than
the rest of their bodies. Dolphins are well known for their agility and playful
behavior, making them a favorite of wildlife watchers. Many species will leap
out of the water, spy-hop (rise vertically out of the water to view their
surroundings) and follow ships, often synchronizing their movements with one
another. Scientists believe that dolphins conserve energy by swimming alongside
ships, a practice known as bow-riding.
Dolphins live in social groups of
five to several hundred. They use echolocation to find prey and often hunt
together by surrounding a school of fish, trapping them and taking turns
swimming through the school and catching fish. Dolphins will also follow seabirds,
other whales and fishing boats to feed opportunistically on the fish they scare
up or discard. Most dolphins are small, measuring less than 3 metres (10 feet)
in length, and have spindle-shaped bodies, beaklike snouts (rostrums), and
simple needlelike teeth. Some of these cetaceans are occasionally called
porpoises, but scientists prefer to use this term as the common name for the
six species in the family Phocoenidae, all of which differ from dolphins in
having blunt snouts and spadelike teeth.
A major spot for Dolphin watching, Sri Lanka
is located with a protected zone in the Indian Ocean. Spotting pods of dolphins
along the North Western and Southern coast of Sri Lanka is always a memorable
experience.
Alankuda Beach in Kalpitiya is a
great starting point if you are interested in catching these beautiful sea
creatures in action. Mirissa and off Dondra in the southern coast of Sri Lanka
is also a favoured spot to witness dolphins.Large pods of dolphins are always
visible during the migration season while the best months to witness these
blessed creatures are from November to April down south as well as in
Kalpitiya. Check out the packages that Lakpura Travels have in store and make
your holiday more interesting and worthwhile……. (Abstracted)
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