“…and today we’re talking about a little ocean hopping spy. But more on that later.”
A dolphin dipping in deep abyss must allow the sun to have its kiss
When scouting schools of succulent fish a trick ensures they will not miss.
What vantage a high place can be! What new things can you see?
A spy can spit at the fates of the sea on Life, Death and Taxonomy
Description of the Irrawaddy Dolphin
- Imagine a dolphin that got tired of the ocean’s high fashion and decided to become handsome squidward—rounded and snub-nosed.
- Looks more like a beluga or pilot whale than a dolphin
- Most closely related to the orca
- Light bluish-gray body, that is countershaded for blending into coastal waters.
- Rounded, blunt head with no beak, the Neanderthal of the cetacean family.
- Small, triangle-shaped dorsal fin, far from the dramatic ones you’d see on the likes of Flipper.
- Has a unique blowhole that isn’t quite centered and opens toward the front
- They also have a flexible neck, allowing them to look around more than most other dolphins and porpoises and also allowing them to look more like a sock puppet than most other dolphins and porpoises
- Has up to 40 cone-shaped teeth in it’s derpy grin
Measure Up
Welcome to the beloved Measure Up segment. The official listener’s favorite part of the show! The part of the show when we present the animal’s size and dimension in relatable terms through a quiz that’s fun for the whole family. It’s also the part of the show that’s introduced by you when you send in audio of yourself saying, singing, or chittering the words Measure Up into ldtaxonomy at gmail dot com. We don’t have a new Measure Up intro!
It ranges in weight from 90 to 200 kg (200 to 440 lb).
- Professional strongman Brian Shaw (440)
- Tammy Slaton on from 1,000 pound sisters
- Nfl offensive guard Nate newton
They have a length of 2.3 m (7.5 ft) at full maturity. They can also reach a maximum recorded length of 2.75 m (9.0 ft) of a male in Thailand.
- Robert Wadlow
- John Rogan
- John F Carrol
Fast Facts about the Irrawaddy Dolphin
- Geographic Range: Found in coastal and freshwater areas in Southeast Asia, from the Bay of Bengal to the Mekong River.
- Habitat: Prefers shallow, warm waters, especially near rivers and estuaries—think of it as the chill freshwater cousin to ocean-going dolphins.
- Mating Behavior: Social animals that mate seasonally, though they’re a bit secretive about when and where the magic happens.
- Diet: Carnivorous, mainly fish and crustaceans, but no picky eater here—it’ll grab whatever’s available. Like most dolphins, it uses echolocation to navigate and find food.
- Social Behavior: Lives in small groups, rarely more than 6 dolphins
- Sounds: Communicates through clicks, creaks, and squawks
- Predators: Sharks and humans are the main threats
- Lifespan: Can live up to 30 years in the wild, provided it avoids nets, boats, and other hazards of the modern aquatic world.
Major Fact: Spyhopper
Irrawaddy dolphins have a unique ability to squirt streams of water up to 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches). This behavior is often used to herd fish into a specific area for easier hunting. Dolphins sometimes perform this action while spyhopping or during feeding, possibly to expel water swallowed while capturing fish or to help herd the fish.
Spy hopping occurs when the dolphin rises and maintains a vertical position partially above the water, often exposing its head and rostrum. This behavior is similar to a human treading water. It is a slow and controlled action that can last for several minutes if the dolphin is curious about its surroundings.
When Irrawaddy dolphins shoot water at fish, the sudden jet of water creates a disturbance that can startle or disorient the fish, causing them to move in a specific direction. By repeatedly squirting water, the dolphins can effectively drive the fish into a smaller, more concentrated area. This makes it easier for the dolphins to catch the fish, either by trapping them against the surface, herding them toward shallow water, or grouping them into a “bait ball” where the dolphins can feed more efficiently.
Ending: So hit the seafood buffet, always remember that yum yum doughnuts, and spit your appreciation for Atretes spice production like the Irrawaddy Dolphin here in LDT