|
| |
History Of Dolphins
Up
Dolphins Food
History Of Dolphins
Dolphins Habitat
Dolphins Mating
Pictures of Dolphins
Types of Dolphins
Harbor Porpoise
The name is originally from Ancient Greek delphís; "dolphin", which was
related to the Greek delphys; "womb".
The animal's name can therefore be interpreted as meaning "a 'fish' with a
womb". The name was transmitted via the Latin delphinus, Middle Latin dolfinus
and the Old French daulphin, which reintroduced the ph into the word.
The word is used in a few different ways. It can mean:
* Any member of the family Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins),
* Any member of the families Delphinidae and Platanistoidea (oceanic and river
dolphins),
* Any member of the suborder Odontoceti (toothed whales; these include the above
families and some others),
* Used casually as a synonym for Bottlenose Dolphin, the most common and
familiar species of dolphin.
Porpoises (suborder Odontoceti, family Phocoenidae) are thus not dolphins in
this sense. Orcas and some closely related species belong to the Delphinidae
family and therefore qualify as dolphins, even though they are called whales in
common language.
A group of dolphins can be called a "school" or a "pod".
Male dolphins are called "bulls", females "cows" and young dolphins are
called "calves".
All cetaceans, including whales, dolphins and porpoises, are descendants of
land-living mammals of the Artiodactyl order (even-toed ungulate animals).
Both cetaceans and artiodactyl are now classified under the super-order
Cetartiodactyla which includes both whales and hippos.
In fact, whales are the closest living relatives of hippos; they evolved from
a common ancestor at around 54 million years ago. Whales entered the water
roughly 50 million years ago.
Cetaceans are divided into two suborders:
* The baleen whales are characterized by baleen, a sieve-like structure in the
upper jaw made of keratin, which they use to filter plankton from the water.
They are the largest species of whale.
* The toothed whales have teeth and prey on fish, squid, or both. An outstanding
ability of this group is to sense their surrounding environment through
echolocation.
The family Delphinidae is the largest in the Cetacea, and relatively recent:
dolphins evolved about ten million years ago, during the Miocene.
Dolphins are considered to be amongst the most intelligent of animals and
their often friendly appearance and seemingly playful attitude have made them
popular in human culture.
| |
The Skipper's Corner
"The Legendary Captain" Ron King, Owner Operator
of Sea King Adventures, has over 35 years of experience
in the beautiful waters around Victoria and Vancouver Island. He is a certified
Master Skipper with naturalist and conservation education.
Since staring in business in 1995 Ron boasts a perfect
safety record.
Born and raised in Victoria, Captain Ron has over 30 years
of professional marine experience - including 25 years of commercial fishing and
11 years whale watching.
Like his father before him, going to sea is the only life he’s known. He began
his career as a deckhand on board his father’s fishing boat "Five Kings II" at
the tender age of 11. By the time he was 20, he owned and operated his first
fishing vessel, "Aquarius".
In 1995, with the commercial fishery in decline, he
discovered his passion and purpose in whale watching and founded SeaKing
Adventures Inc.
Because SeaKing Adventures is Victoria’s only 100% family owned and
operated marine tour company, Ron’s commitment to quality, safety and
satisfaction is guaranteed! His central location on board the vessel allows him
to provide Victoria’s most comprehensive fully narrated, totally interactive and
personalized tours. Boasting a spotless safety record and sightings guarantee,
Ron’s qualifications and experience combine to make him the city’s premier
guide.
Our vessel can accommodate groups of 12 comfortably and is
Canadian Coast Guard inspected annually. The soft riding boat has comfy leather
seats, an onboard toilet and is equipped with all the latest in GPS, radar and
communications apparatus. Safety survival suits are supplied for each passenger.
Passengers can all expect a exciting, educational, safe and
comfortable tour of the area whales and wildlife.
Reservations
Recommended Book early!
2009 Rates
Call Now
(250) 381-4173
|
