“It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have…One pair that see through closed doors. Another in the back of her head…and, of course, the ones in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and reflect ‘I understand and I love you’ without so much as uttering a word.” -Erma Bombeck
It’s the time of year once again where we celebrate the most tireless of creatures, “the mother”. Countries around the world will take a day to honour the women who have made us who we are, tended to our scraped knees, forced us to eat our vegetables and provided us with a home full of love. While the world celebrates “human” mommies, Dolphin Discovery would like to take a moment to tell you all about dolphin mamas and the ways they care for their young.
Pregnancy and birth: There is no real “season” for dolphin pregnancies, births happen all year long around the world. Gestation period is of one year, yes, twelve long months (thanks mom!). Females have the ability to bear calves every two years, though three to six years is more common. Births happen in the water, usually tail-first though nose-first births occur occasionally. Sometimes a dolphin “aunt” is present at the birth to assist the mother and to provide support (breathe, push, breathe!) Baby dolphins generally weigh around 20 kgs/45 lbs and measure around 100 cm/40 inches in length. The fins of the newborn dolphin are generally pliable and slightly “floppy”, but they gradually become firm.
Baby and dolpin mom
Caring for a young dolphin: Newborn dolphins stick very close to their mothers, never leaving their side and following their every move. They learn how to swim and maneuver in the water, and use their mother’s “slipstream” to facilitate their swimming. They nurse below the water, as often as four times an hour for about five to ten seconds per time. Baby dolphins are completely reliant on mother’s milk for at least the first six months of their lives until they learn how to hunt for fish and may nurse for up to 18 months. The bond between a mother dolphin and her offspring is strong, a calf typically spends 3 to 6 years close to mom.
Dolphin Discovery is so proud of all our dolphin moms and the human moms on our team as well. We are family and we welcome your family to join us in our Mother’s Day celebrations. We’ve got some great Mother’s Day discounts on swim with dolphins programs, what better way to show mom you love her than by sharing the experience of a lifetime with the best moms in the ocean?
Congratulations mommies, felicidades and THANK YOU for all that you do!