Stuff You Should Know How Dolphins Work!
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Sep 2, 2025 Dive into the fascinating world of dolphins, from their unique evolution to their playful social dynamics. Discover astonishing facts about dolphin communication and their remarkable feeding habits. Learn about their special adaptations like unihemispheric sleep and incredible eyesight. The podcast also tackles the ethical implications of dolphin intelligence research and the impact of human interaction, painting a picture of both the joy and challenges these amazing creatures face. It's a light-hearted yet informative exploration of our oceanic friends!
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Dolphins Are Marine Mammal Cetaceans
- Dolphins are marine mammals classified as cetaceans, related to whales and porpoises rather than fish.
- Bottlenose dolphins are the best-studied and most familiar species with about 600,000 individuals.
Dolphins Evolved From Land Mammals
- Dolphins evolved from land mammals like Pachycetus and retain embryonic limb development as a vestige of that ancestry.
- Their fossil record shows a clear transition from four-legged, furred ancestors to fully aquatic forms.
Dolphins Sleep With Half A Brain
- Dolphins sleep unihemispherically, turning off one half of the brain while the other stays alert to surface and watch for threats.
- They alternate hemispheres so they can breathe and guard against predators while resting.
