Assessing the Thermal Limit of Bottlenose Dolphins: A Cooperative Study by Trainers, Scientists, and Animals
Abstract
Although bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) may be exposed to ocean water temperatures ranging from 6 deg C to 27 deg C, little is known regarding their preferred environmental temperatures. Consequently, it is difficult to predict the 'ideal' water temperature for the animals in captivity. To determine the range of thermally neutral water temperatures for these cetaceans, we examined the thermoregulatory physiology of adult bottlenose dolphins (body weight = 136 kg) trained to rest in a water filled box. Metabolic rate, body temperature, skin temperature, and heat flow were measured over a 10 deg C range of water temperatures. The results indicate that the lower critical water temperature (Tlc) for bottlenose dolphins is variable; Tlc, was less than 6 deg C for San Diego dolphins in the winter and 11 - 16 deg C for Hawaiian animals in the summer. Further cooperative research will enable us to anticipate the thermal requirements of both large and small cetaceans in captivity.... Marine biosystems
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA267522
Entities
Organizations
- Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center