Dolphins are among the most intelligent animals on the planet. Nine different species of dolphins live in the Greek seas. The prefecture of Corfu is located at the junction of two large seas namely the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea. The most well-known species of dolphins in the Corfu Sea are the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the zebra dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) and the short beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), which live near the shores and like to follow ships and boats. Especially in the summer season, with the frequent movements of tourist and sailing boats, dolphins appear up to the main port of Corfu. Even from the coastal roads of the city one can see their amazing figures leaping out of the water.
Dolphins are very popular for their playful and social behavior, as they are one of the few marine animals that can come in close contact with the human species.
Many times we call them "the smile of the sea" as a "human smile" is permanently outlined on their face, a characteristic that makes them even more familiar to us.
Dolphins appeared about sixty-five million years ago. At first they lived on land and in the course of their evolution they moved to the sea. Their name comes from the ancient Greek word “delphis” which means “womb”. This indicates that although dolphins live in the sea, they are mammals. The way they breathe is very similar to that of humans. They breathe, like us, with lungs and air enters and leaves through a small hole in the top of their head. They can stay for about half an hour without refreshing their air. This can be a problem, especially when sleeping, as they have to emerge frequently to breathe.
Of great interest is the sound tracking system they have in their brain. With this system they orient themselves for their voyages at sea and communicate with each other. Dolphins have developed a special kind of communication and belong to the most intelligent animals on the planet. They communicate with whistles, clicks and sounds they make with their jaws. These sounds sound like enchanting songs from strange musical instruments.
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ΨΗΦΙΑΚΟ ΜΟΥΣΕΙΟ ΦΥΣΙΚΗΣ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑΣ ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑΣ
eMUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY OF CORFU
eMUSEO DI STORIA NATURALE DI CORFU
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Αρχείο My Kerkyra magazine: the Real Corfu
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