24. ~ Dolphin ~

Dolphins can live up to fifty years. They are very sociable creatures. Their average weight is three hundred to four hundred pounds. Dolphins have a clicking and high-pitched whistle. These noises create sound waves. These sound waves have an echo affect when they bounce off of solid objects beneath the waters. There are thirty to forty species of dolphins, and they are first-cousin to the porpoise. Their diet is salmon, shrimp, small fish and anchovies. They can stay submerged about fifteen or more minutes. When sleeping the male dolphins surface and breathe. The females will lie on the water's surface and expose their blowholes so they can take in air. The dolphins hunt for their meals during the daytime. Mother dolphins nurse their baby calf for approximately sixteen months. These animals are extremely intelligent, compassionate and playful. Dolphin calves are born tail first. They have a fin called a dorsal which is as unique to them as a face is to a human. Dolphins can grow to be ten to twelve feet and can weigh more than a thousand pounds (454 kg). Dolphins live between twenty to fifty years. They are hairless mammals. All dolphins have their own whistle sound. Dolphins have pectoral fins for stopping and steering. Dolphins can be found jumping twenty or more feet up and out of the water. Dolphins create a sense of wonder and awe!

Medicine:

The dolphin teaches us that even though we don't all speak the same language, we all have something important to say. Our responsibility is to learn how to communicate with each other. The dolphin reminds us learning a new language can be fun as well as educational, and beneficial in human relationships. Dolphin medicine teaches us to take time out to jump for joy and to strive to balance ou the the highs and lows on our journey. Dolphin medicine tells us to spend time in and around water sources to renew and revitalize our body and spirit, our emotions and our mind. The dolphin tells us to meditate on our breathing patterns.