Dolphin and porpoise biology

'The Pacific white-sided dolphin, left, ,reveals the array of sharp, wellseparated teeth found in the upper :and lower jaws of most dolphins. Notice the pronounced beak, or rostrum. The separation in colours from the dark dorsal, or top, side to the light ventral, or bottom, side is a feature that makes the dolphin less visible to its fish prey. The dark eye, behind and a little above the jawline, is difficult to see except at very close range. The leaping spotted dolphin, above, displays the typical streamlined dolphin shape. Its curvedback flippers and dorsal fin provide some stability without reducing the dolphin's speed. Its tail is the power source: the up-and-down movement propels the dolphin through the water, helping it to 'reach the high speeds that enable it to leap above the surface,

Rauno Lauhakangas