When I started this assignment, the first thing I wanted to know about bottle-nosed dolphins is the difference between them and porpoises. I’ve loved them and porpoises since the 1960’s when I saw the series “Flipper.” But I’m just getting around to answering that question for myself.
One of the major differences between a dolphin and a porpoise is that a dolphin can make noise that a human can hear. Anyone that’s ever watched an episode of Flipper can probably remember how “talkative” he was. They’ll also remember that he wasn’t shy. That’s common for dolphins. They also tend to swim alongside boats. Porpoises rarely do that.
The most noticeable difference between dolphins and porpoises is the nose. Dolphins have a long snout. Porpoises have a rounder nose. Dolphins get ten feet long or longer. Porpoises rarely get longer than seven feet. Dolphins tend to be long and slim. Porpoises are shorter and plumper. If you’re seeing one of the two up close, it’s probably a dolphin. If he makes a noise you can hear, it’s definitely a dolphin.
Dolphins are mammals, not fish. Like a whale, they have a blow hole on top of their head. They can hold their breath for about seven minutes. They also pack a lot of blubber on their bodies, just like a whale. For that reason, dolphins can tolerate cold water. The blubber acts as an insulator against the cold.
While traveling in boats around Key West, there’s a good chance you’ll see dolphins. They seem to like boats. If you’re on a small catamaran or sailboat, they can be a little intimidating. You’ll get a better appreciation of just how large they are. Many catamarans are only 16 feet long. That’s small when you’re in a pod of dolphins in sizes ranging up to 12 feet. You’ll also get an idea of how fast they can travel.
Dolphins travel in large pods. When you’re in a boat out on the water, you may also feel intimidated by their superior numbers. Dolphins are not known to attack boats, but it’s not a good idea to try to play with them, jump off the boat to swim with them or feed them. They’re wild and they’re large and there have been a few reports of them attacking humans, in the wild and in captivity.
Because of their personable natures, dolphins are a favorite in marine shows and aquariums. Their intelligence makes them easy to build an entertaining show around. If you go to a marine show with dolphins, chances are good that you’ll see something different each time you go to the same show.
Dolphins are a favorite marine animal because of their playful nature and the appearance of their “smile.” But they also have a dark side that’s become more visible and documented in recent year. They are known to attack and kill their cousins, the porpoises. They’ve also been filmed killing their own infants.
Dolphins present a special, almost humorous problem for fishing boat charters. As the crew throws back red snapper, grouper and other fish that are too small to keep the dolphins around the boat will eagerly eat them until they get their fill. They rarely, however, mistakenly eat a fish that’s on a hook. That’s their intelligence kicking in.
Even so, accidents happen. There are tales that crewmen relate of when a dolphin accidently swallows a fish hook. They describe the dolphin as taking off like a marlin. Of course, it’s no contest between the dolphin and the fisherman. He runs until there’s no more line and the line breaks when it comes to the end. For fishermen, this is known as getting “spooled.”
Meanwhile all the other dolphins jump up and down and chatter at the spectacle. The crewmen describe them as “going crazy.” No one is sure as to whether they’re upset about the incident, or if they’re just laughing at the unfortunate beast with the hook in his mouth. Maybe there cheering him on in his race. Maybe they’re booking odds on whether the fisherman will be able to hold on to his rod at the end of the race.
The fishermen also say that when they fish in the sound, bay or surf they do well until dolphins get around them. When the dolphins get around them, their bait mysteriously starts disappearing from the hook even though they haven’t felt a nibble. They insist that the dolphins have figured out how to get the bait off the hook without being detected.
There are many boats and charters around Key West that specialize in observing dolphins. They will take passengers out for the sole purpose of watching dolphins. To attract them, they will often feed them. There are hardly ever any disappointments on these cruises. The dolphins almost always do their part and show up.
There are also times when they can be observed from the beach. They rarely come in close, but they can often be seen beyond the breakers. They can also be observed from fishing boats, as already mentioned. Snorkelers will sometimes get the treat of observing them while they’re snorkeling.
Dolphins are gregarious and travel in large groups. They’re a lot of fun to watch. There are places that allow a person to get close enough to touch those that are in captivity. There are also places that allow bathers to swim with them. No matter how you do it, dolphins are a special treat to see and observe.