Dolphins Have Names For Each Other

Bottlenose Dolphin

     We know that dolphins are smart, but we did not know that some dolphins have names for each other. 

     That’s right.  Bottlenose dolphins “call out the…names of loved ones when they become separated.”  This news comes from scientists that study dolphins. 

      The dolphins don’t squeak out, “Hey, George!”  But what they do is make a “signature whistle” that identifies a single dolphin.  They are the only animals known to do this, says the study that took place in Florida.

     This special sound can also identify the whistling dolphin.  That helps other dolphins identify each other.  Another special thing about this dolphin “name whistling” is that it is used only for loved ones, like a buddy or a mother.

     To learn more about this visit Discovery News.

Student Devoted to Cleaning Beach

By Abigail Burrus — Student at Teach Elementary Morro Bay

One day, my teacher told us to choose a community action project. I immediately knew what I wanted to do: a beach cleanup. I chose a beach cleanup because I knew trash can hurt many animals in the ocean. A floating plastic bag looks like a jellyfish to a dolphin. It might eat it, then choke and die. I planned to pick up trash from Morro Bay to Cayucos.

I found out, when researching, about a large pile of trash floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that is the size of Texas! I wanted to stop this junk pile from getting bigger.

So every weekend, I went to the beach to pick up trash. I picked up more than 20 pounds! I was proud, but I knew people, not caring about the consequences of their actions, would still litter and add to the trash heap in the Pacific.

I want more people to pick up trash than people who litter it. If every person picked up one piece of trash, imagine how clean the beaches would be! The animals of the ocean would be safe, and the Pacific trash heap wouldn’t expand. What a great day at the beach! 

Source:  San Luis Obispo Tribune

Read more here: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2013/02/15/2395147/pick-up-the-beach.html#storylink=cpy

Dolphin Ask Divers For Help

This video is kind of long, but it is an amazing video because:

1) The manta rays are gorgeous;
2) The dolphin asks for the attention of the divers;
3) The divers discover that the dolphin  needs help.  It is entangled with fishing line.  (Fishing line that someone might have carelessly thrown into the ocean.);
4) How the divers and the dolphin work together to cut and remove the fishing line from the dolphin's fin.

Fishing line tossed into creeks, rivers, lakes and oceans is dangerous to the creatures that live there.  Birds also get entangled with fishing line. Fishhooks are also dangerous, as seen in the video above.

When you go fishing watch for a fishing line recycling container like the one pictured here.  

This way you will be a friend of fish, mammals, sea turtles, and birds.

What should you do if you see a marine mammal or sea turtle entangled?

• Keep your distance.  Injured, sick or entangled animals can be unpredictable and dangerous.

• Please call the NOAA Marine Mammal Hotline: 1-888-256-9840. 

  
What are your thoughts about this video?  You can comment below.