People often confuse dolphin as a large fish, but in reality, dolphin belongs to the mammalia family. It gives birth to an offspring instead of laying eggs. Moreover dolphin breathe in oxygen, which they cannot obtain from water. That is the reason, these marine mammals occasionally come out of the water. They have a small peep hole above their body, which is used by them for aerobic respiration to take place. Dolphins are the center of attraction in any aquarium, especially in those where an interactive session with these astonishingly beautiful creatures is available. People get so mesmerized by this creature that they start dreaming of getting one of these as a pet, and a few rich of them, who could afford them start making plans for getting their hands on a dolphin. But unfortunately, there is one more obstacle in the path of domesticating a dolphin, that is getting legal permissions.
Dolphin has been rendered as an internationally protected mammal, and thus for domestication of this mammal, you will have to go through a few legal proceedings, as are completed by public aquarium owners. But believe me, spending this time, effort and money on getting a dolphin is worth it as a dolphin is much more than just a pet! Such an inevitable bond is developed that the dolphin becomes a part of the family.
1. Types
There is not just one type of dolphin, but exists hundreds of kinds of them. A few prominent of these include Long Beaked Dolphin, Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin, Whale Dolphin etc and a lot more of them.
2. Habitat
If you are thinking to pet a dolphin, you need to have ample space to keep this huge mammal, and give it allowance to roam freely in those waters. To do this, you need to have a large pool digged into the Earth, a pool much larger than a swimming pool, in fact larger than a lake. After then, get a dolphin by completing all the legal matters, and them, you are a proud owner of a dolphin! Dolphins usually vary from 4 feet to 90 feet in size, and hence, keep in mind the size of the pool you are going to get built.
3. Diet
Get ready to fetch fresh fish everyday for your dolphin! Dolphins are carnivores, and feed on fish! They consume a whole lot of them everyday, which is one of the reasons that these mammals don’t smell too good, as we already know that we give a smell of what we eat! Dolphins need to consume large amount of fish and squids everyday to support their large body. They can easily get them in the oceans, but getting this available everyday for the pet dolphin would mean a regular visit to the local bet store or fish market!
4. anatomy
Dolphins have enhanced their body structure with the passing time. In the present generation, their body design has got developed in such a manner that they have a streamlined body design, complying by the rules of physics for incurring least resistance while travelling at high speeds. Dolphins have very less hair, and possess a unique capability of getting their wounds healed very soon! Even as deep wounds as shark bites don’t make them lose blood or life! They can overcome this loss easily. Another fact about dolphins is that just like cows, they have two compartments in their stomach, one of which is for storage of food and the other is where digestion of food takes place.
5. Pregnancy
Mating is one of the basic necessity of life. Each specie on this Earth live for this purpose. Now, if you are a proud owner of a dolphin, it makes you prone to fulfill the necessities of your pet. Now, the necessity of mating can be completed in an aquarium or in other such places where other dolphins are available. Just make it legal as there are hundreds of legal issues with a dolphin. Dolphins remain pregnant for a year.
6. Friendly nature
Dolphins are known for their friendly nature and agility. They remain restless for most of the time. But this friendly nature depends on the first sight. They create a first impression. They are more afraid of us than we are of them, so they try maintaining a distance from us! All we have to do is let it follow us, remain calm, and NEVER follow the dolphin. We want to befriend it, not make it as an enemy!
7. Alternative
If you cannot afford buying a dolphin, or cannot pay for all these amenities, there is another way. You can contact the local aquarium or a place where dolphins are kept and they perform various tasks to entertain the population. If willing, they might give you permission to go and play with them, or even better, have a swim session with these dolphins. But always remember, never touch their face or other such sensitive areas. It will simply scare them off!
Dolphins are known to sleep with one eye open, as they live in water and have to remain active at all times. So, at a particular point of time, one half of their brain remains active and the other half sleeps! So, if you are ready to get such a pet, go for it, as dolphins really make a very good pet!