Film Science: Questions for The Ultimate Guide - Dolphins

1. a) What is a common, idealized view humans have of dolphins?

b) What about the type of life they lead?

2. How much do we know about dolphins?

3. a) What is their average swimming speed?

b) They can maintain this speed for how long?

4. Why does Terrie Williams have Primo swim and push against a load cell?

5. Cetaceans are divided into how many large groups?

6. What is the range of dolphin size?

7. Dolphins can be found where around the globe?

8. Evolution is thought to "mold" organisms to do what?

9. As the land-dwelling ancestors of dolphins gradually became ocean dwellers, summarize the adaptations to their:
a) noses b) forelegs c) hind legs d) back bone

10. What is the purpose of blubber?

11. a) Compare the tails of fish and dolphins.

b) What about their vision?

12. Why do Ganges River dolphins have weak eyes?

13. A dolphin's echolocation is acute enough to let it "see" an orange sized object how far away?

14. When would a dolphin use active sonar?

15. What part of a dolphin's anatomy is important in detecting sound?

16. How often does a female dolphin usually conceive?

17. Which sense is stronger in dolphins, smell or taste?

18. Which dolphin species has the most complex communication?

19. Orcas have how many stomachs?

20. Some dolphins can dive how deep?

21. How may dolphin navigation and strandings be related?

22. Why do the researchers record the silhouettes of dolphin fins?

23. What are some benefits of studying captured, wild dolphins?

24. What is usually the effect on people of swimming with dolphins?