Dolphin just under the surface
Quite a surprise today out at Turneffe Atoll on our 3-tank wall dives. At the first dive site today, just a minute after descending we were surprised by a pod of dolphins that came to say hello to our divers.
Dolphins are small-toothed cetaceans easily recognizable by their curved mouths which makes them appear to be smiling. There are 36 dolphin species, found in every ocean. Most dolphins are marine and live in the ocean or brackish waters along coastlines.
Dolphins are graceful, sleek swimmers that can reach speeds of more than 18 miles an hour. They are also playful and often frolic in a boat’s wake, leaping out of the water—possibly for fun, to communicate, or even shed pesky parasites. Of course they can become entagbled in illegal gillnets.
Photograph by Nelson Decker
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