The dolphins are marine mammals which inhabit both sea waters and river waters. These live in groups, but they can survive alone as well. One of the most commonly seen dolphins perhaps is the ubiquitous bottlenose dolphin. However, there are approximately 24 different types of dolphins in the world. Most of the species inhabit in sea water, while approximately 4 species inhabit fresh water. The dolphins living in fresh water include the Chinese white dolphin, Ganges River dolphin and Amazon River dolphin. Tucuxi is a species of dolphin which has the ability to survive in both sea water and fresh water.

Similar to many other animals and birds, dolphins too are made a part of the collection in many aquariums to educate and entertain us. The natural habitat of the dolphins still remains the wild waters in the oceans and rivers. They prefer natural bays, gulfs, naturally available harbors, tributaries and lagoons since they stay close to the upper surface of the shallow water.

They inhabit most of the oceans, but tend to restrict the area of inhabiting to a lagoon or even a bay. Although these mammals prefer to stay in their locations, they do exhibit a tendency to migrate to different locations in search of food, ideal temperate conditions of the water and air, safer birthing areas in order to increase the survival rate of the calves and avoid predators.

Dolphins prefer inhabiting shallow waters since the quantity of fishes available for hunting and feeding will be higher. With the food being abundant in a given location, dolphins stay there for years and not migrate. They feed on variety of fish, namely herring, squids, Pacific sardines, anchovies, capelin, hake, salmon, cod, mackerel and rockfish. A dolphin pods can have 10 to 100 dolphins and they catch their prey, namely fish, by encircling the shoal, so that it does not have an escape route. Thereafter, the dolphins swallow the fish.

Man is posing the worst threat to these beautiful creatures. The levels of pollution, contamination of the waters of the seas and rivers with wastes, and lack of understanding for maintaining a balanced eco-system has become a threat to the survival of dolphins. With the continuation of global warming, the water temperature of oceans has risen. This has forced dolphins to leave their previous habitats and move in to cold waters in search of preys. This could be dangerous to their lives since they will not be able to adapt to the sudden and abrupt changes in the water temperature. The rising levels of the oceans have also threatened the survival of the dolphins in the brackish waters.

More Articles :

• Common Dolphins Habitat
• Do Wild Dolphins Migration ?
• Dolphin Natural Habitat
• Facts About Maui Dolphin
• Facts On The Dusky Dolphin
• How Many Amazon River Dolphins Are Left ?
• Lifecycle Of A Pacific Dolphin
• Types Of Dolphins
• What Do Dolphins Eat ?
• What Is Being Done To Protect Endangered Dolphins ?
• What Is Being Done To Save The Chinese White Dolphin ?
• What Kind Of Fish Do Dolphins Eat ?
• What Part Of The World Do Dolphins Live In ?
• Where Do Bottlenose Dolphins Live ?

eHow: Dolphin's Natural Habitat
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