Respiration Standards

Breathe air into their lungs through blowholes. A blowhole is an opening on the head of the dolphin that they stick out of the water for periods of time to get oxygen from the air. When they do this they are also releasing the carbon dioxide into the air. This hole has a flap to cover it so that when it submerges it does not get too full with water.

Circulation Standards

Dolphins have a closed circulatory system meaning that the blood in their bodies flows through veins and arteries in the body. Dolphins have a slower heartbeat so that the blood in their body has more time to warm up. Dolphins, since they are mammals pump blood much like humans. One difference however is that blood is first pumped into the retia mirabilia before it is transported to the brain.

Digestion Standards

Dolphins do not chew their food so the stomach plays a crucial role in digesting the food in the dolphin. First the dolphin swallows its food and it goes through the trachea. A dolphins stomach has three chambers, the first one helps to break down the food, and the second takes care of most of the digestion. The nutrients then passes through the intestines. The nutrients is given to the body and the waste makes its may out of the anus .

Nutrition Standards 

Fish, squids and, crustaceans are the Amin prey of dolphins. Bottlenosed dolphins are considered opportunistic feeders because they will feed on a wide variety of prey in their environment. The main prey of dolphins however is fish. 

Food Getting Standards

Dolphins use many different methods to catch their prey. They often hunt in groups. One tactic they use is one dolphin will send vibrations through the water and the fish will swim the opposite way where the other dolphins happen to be waiting so they can catch the fish. Another method is corralling when a group of dolphins chases a group of fish too shallow waters where they are not able to escape. 

Support Standards

Dolphins have a skeletal system that is made of bones. They have a long backbone as well as a rib cage to support them. Bottlenose dolphins also have bones in their find to make them more powerful and hold them up. They also have a dorsal fin on the middle of their backs so that they are able to maintain stability. 

Protection Standard

Dolphins use many ways to protect themselves in the ocean. They are very smart animals and are very quick swimmers. They also can communicate with other dolphins from great distances away, and usually travel in pods. They also use echolocation to interpret the echoes and movement of sound in water. This helps them to know where their predators are located from long distances away.

Movement Standard

Dolphins move their flukes or back tail up and down propelling them forward. As well they use their dorsal fin to balance themselves. As well dolphins have very strong muscles that help them move easier. Their smooth skin aids the dolphins quickness by allowing them to glide through the water easily. 

Osmotic Regulation & Excretion Standard

Dolphins get rid of metabolic waste through their excretory system. This means that the waste is released out of the body by the bladder. Salt water also cannot go out through the skin so it has to go out through the bladder. Water however is able to pass through the skin of the dolphin.

Temperature Regulation Standard

Dolphins are endothermic homeotherms meaning that they are warm blooded and a lot like humans. Arteries are surrounded by veins and blood traveling through them causes some heat for the dolphins.

Reproduction Standard

Dolphins are sexual reproducers. To mate the dolphins go belly to belly. Dolphins have no real mating season and can mate throughout the year and typically have more than one mate. 

Development Standard

The dolphin slowly grows in a mothers uterus. It usually takes them 12 months to be born. Once out they can swim right away. Baby bottlenose dolphins usually stay with their mothers for between 3-6 year in which time they grow and learn how to survive before they go off on their own. 

Mating Behavior Standard

Dolphins have no true mating season. When a dolphin wants to mate with the other they tend to chase each other, head butt each other, lie on their side like a floating log, as well as scratch each other with their teeth. When dolphins mate they rube belly against each other, which usually only takes a few seconds.