Diving
1)
Depending on the habitat dolphin
usually dives between 10 to 150 ft and can stay
underwater for 8-10 minutes.
2) Dolphins have a slower heart
rate when in a dive. The blood is rerouted from
the tissues to the heart, lungs and brain so that
the maximum amount of oxygen can reach these areas.
3 ) Myoglobin is a protein that
stores oxygen in the muscles and is found in high
levels in the muscles of bottle nose dolphins.
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Respiration:
1) Since the bottlenose dolphin
is a mammal, they require air to breath. There is
a blowhole located on the dorsal surface of the
dolphins head.
(See anatomy for location).
2) The dolphin must hold its breath
while under water and surface to get air. As they
surface, the air is exhaled out of the blowhole,
and a quick breath is taken before closing the blow
hole and returning underwater.
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