Dolpin (18)

Question 1

True or False: Zooplankton are primarily larger organisms.

Answer 1

True - relative to phytoplankton, at least.

Question 2

The whale pump is also known as the…

Answer 2

Poop loop!

Question 3

What percentage of their body weight do baleen whales eat daily?

Answer 3

5-30% - that’s a lot of krill!

Question 4

What do whales introduce to the euphotic zone through their excrement? Give three examples.

Answer 4

Deep ocean nutrients - including nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace metals like iron.

Question 5

What happens to phytoplankton populations in the absence of whales?

Answer 5

They dwindle due to the lack of poop

Question 6

Whales help boost populations of ___________________ throughout the entire ocean. In turn, they support…

Answer 6

• Photosynthetic phytoplankton (because they poop nutrients from the deep sea)
• They therefore help to support many other species that depend on phytoplankton for food

Question 7

• What percentage of carbon dioxide do phytoplankton capture?
• Why does this make whales important?

Answer 7

• Phytoplankton capture roughly 40% of all produced carbon dioxide.
• This means that whales are very important for carbon capture as their poop supports phytoplankton populations!

Question 8

How does the carbon capture of phytoplankton compare to the Amazon Rainforest?

Answer 8

Phytoplankton capture an amount 4x that of carbon captured by the Amazon Rainforest.

Question 9

What happens to carbon that phytoplankton do not use?

Answer 9

Much of the carbon is stored within their bodies.

Question 10

How do whales absorb carbon from their food?

Answer 10

Whales absorb carbon that krill accumulated from their phytoplankton meals.

Question 11

• When a whale falls, what gets transferred to the seafloor?

Answer 11

The whale sinks to the bottom of the sea, where its carcass is consumed, transferring carbon to seafloor sediments.

Question 12

What is the adjusted value of a single whale to the global economy in 2023 USD?

Answer 12

$2.4 million USD.

Question 13

What is the total economic value generated by the entire global stock of whales?

Answer 13

Over $1 trillion USD.

Question 14

Why do whales poop in the euphotic zone?

Answer 14

Because they need to breathe!

Question 15

• When a whale dies, how much carbon does it sequester in the ocean sediments?
• How does this compare to another good carbon-capturing organism?

Answer 15

• 33 tons of carbon
• A live oak tree, one of the most efficient carbon-capturing tree species, captures roughly 12 tons of carbon dioxide over a maximum 500-year lifespan.

Question 16

What is the estimated number of Bottlenose dolphins held captive worldwide?

Answer 16

At least 2,600 dolphins

Question 17

• How many Bottlenose dolphins are in captivity in the United States?
• Where does the US rank in terms of number of captive dolphins?

Answer 17

• Around 400 dolphins
• This makes the U.S. the country with the third-largest population of captive dolphins.

Question 18

What has driven demand and prices higher for dolphin interactions?

Answer 18

The chance to swim and interact with dolphins

Question 19

How far can a pod of wild Bottlenose dolphins travel in a day?

Answer 19

Up to 100 kilometers

Question 20

• What kind of medication are many captive dolphins treated with?
• Why do dolphins have to take these?

Answer 20

• Ulcer medication or antidepressants
• These medications are used to alleviate frustration caused by captivity.

Question 21

• What can limited space in captivity lead to among dolphins?
• Why?

Answer 21

• Aggression and frustration
• This is due to their inability to escape from aggressors.

Question 22

What evidence of aggression can be found on captive dolphins?

Answer 22

Scars or rake marks - these marks indicate clashes with tank mates.

Question 23

How do dolphins self-harm when they’re in captivity?

Answer 23

They’ll repeatedly smash their heads against tank walls

Question 24

What physical conditions do captive dolphins experience due to the limited depth of their tanks (Hint: sun)?

Answer 24

Overexposure to the sun, which can result in sunburn and blistering

Question 25

What vision problems can captive dolphins face?

Answer 25

Vision problems due to reflection of sunlight on the water’s surface - this can lead to permanent damage to eyesight.

Question 26

What is one method used to train dolphins in captivity?

Answer 26

Operant conditioning - dolphins are kept hungry to ensure compliance with trainers.

Question 27

What physical injuries are commonly observed in dolphins participating in swim-with interactions?

Answer 27

Persistent wounds and abrasions from being handled by customers. More specifically, beaks can become raw from pushing guests through the water.

Question 28

What dental condition is often seen in dolphins and whales in captivity?

Answer 28

Compromised teeth - often the result of frustrated chewing on tank walls.

Question 29

What is the well-documented condition affecting captive male orcas due to confinement?

Answer 29

Fin flop - noted in 100% of captive male orcas and less than 1% in wild male orcas.

Question 30

True or False: The tanks where dolphins are kept are often not chlorinated.

Answer 30

False - tanks are often heavily chlorinated, leading to eye damage.