Dolphin Adaptations
What adaptation helps dolphins locate prey in dark or murky water?
they use sound waves to find fish.
What is a fish’s main way to avoid predators like dolphins?
Swimming in schools to confuse predators.
What do dolphins eat?
Fish and squid.
What happens to dolphin populations when fish populations drop?
Dolphins struggle to find food and may migrate or die off.
True or false — dolphins use teamwork and communication to hunt.
True
Why do dolphins hunt in groups?
To trap schools of fish and increase success
What is countershading?
A color pattern where fish are dark on top and light underneath to blend in.
What role do dolphins play in the food chain?
They are secondary or tertiary consumers
What type of relationship exists between dolphins and fish?
Predator–prey relationship
What do dolphins sometimes use to protect themselves while hunting near reefs?
They cover their snouts with sponges.
What body shape helps dolphins swim fast?
A streamlined, torpedo-like body.
How does fast swimming help fish survive?
It helps them escape predators quickly
What’s the main source of energy for all ocean life?
The sun.
Why is biodiversity important in the ocean ecosystem?
It keeps food webs balanced and stable.
What type of fish do bottlenose dolphins often hunt?
Mackerel, herring, or sardines.
How do dolphins breathe underwater?
They don’t — they surface to breathe air through a blowhole.
Some fish have shiny scales. How does this help them?
It reflects light, making it harder for predators to focus on them.
What happens if too many fish are removed from the ocean?
Dolphins lose their food source, and populations decrease.
How can overfishing affect the entire marine ecosystem?
It disrupts the food chain and causes population imbalances.
How do dolphins “herd” fish into tight groups before eating them?
By circling around them and creating bubble walls.
Dolphins are mammals. Name two features that prove this.
They have lungs and give birth to live young (not eggs)
Some fish use toxins or bad taste to defend themselves. Give one example.
Pufferfish use poison as a defense mechanism.
What’s the term for when energy decreases at each level of a food chain?
The 10% energy rule
What do scientists use to track fish and dolphin population trends?
Surveys, tagging, and satellite tracking.
Why are dolphins considered keystone species?
They help control fish populations and keep ocean ecosystems balanced.