By Tammy Barben

Dolphins? This isn't a noun that is heard very often in Cache Valley. Living in Utah's desert climate, one may wrinkle her nose and ask, "Why would I want to know about dolphins?"

This is a good question, but if you stop reading now you may regret it. Once one understands how truly intelligent dolphins are with their communication with other dolphins and with humans, one will forever be touched by the true spirit of "dolphin fever."

James MacMahon, Utah State's vice president of university advancement as well as a USU ecology professor, expressed his feelings for these animals: "Dolphins are very heart-warming mammals, and can touch one's heart differently from any other mammal or animal."

MacMahon discussed how dolphins don't do well with discipline or punishment. They are very sensitive creatures, and love attention, rewards and affection.

Many have probably heard of the movie, Flipper, and have had a softened heart for these wonderful mammals. One should know that dolphins are highly intelligent, according to Bradford Hovinen. "Dolphins have very large and folded brains, which suggest exceptional intellectual capacity," Hovinen said.

Dolphins are easily trained and learn exceptionally fast, Hovinen said. According to a website on dolphin communication, dolphins dominate many marine acts because of their intelligence. Researchers believe much of the dolphin's brains is used for communication. This website also mentioned that unlike humans, dolphins lack vocal cords, but they do use a complicated system of whistles, squeaks, moans, trills, and clicks. This makes it hard for humans to determine what it is that dolphins are trying to communicate.

Humans who study dolphins do know the signs of when a dolphin wants to eat, as well as when a dolphin is under distress. Regina Blackstock, a dolphin researcher, writes about how friendly dolphins are.

"The dolphin seems to have been blessed with a well developed sense of humor," she says.

Blackstock discusses some amazing and hilarious pranks that dolphins have pulled. To find some of these pranks and more about the wonderful dolphin, click here.

Hovinen says dolphins have a lot in common with humans. "If a dolphin is given a mirror to see itself, it pays attention to its looks. For example, if a black circle is stuck to its side, it will look at it with disgust."

Dolphins don't have the muscles in their faces to show expression, says McMahon, which is why a dolphin always looks as if it is smiling. The dolphin does, however, know how to communicate that it is happy by doing tricks and getting close to other dolphins and humans. The dolphin also knows how to show it is not doing well by clicking its teeth.

MacMahon also discussed how social dolphins are. They do not like to travel alone because dolphins like to protect each other. Since dolphins don't attack with teeth, they do attack with their powerful fins. If a shark is present and tries to attack a dolphin, the herd of dolphins will attack the shark by ramming their fins into the shark. MacMahon agreed that a herd of dolphins defending each other is a lot more powerful.

Just because of the desert climate we live in here in Cache Valley, does not mean that one cannot be touched by the love that dolphins show and give. If you would like to learn more about the wonderful dolphin, here are some other great links to go to. Happy dolphin hunting, from a true dolphin lover.

http://library.thinkquest.org/17963/behaviour-soc_com.html ,

http://www.dolphinsfilm.com/Learn/General/htm

http://www.southwest.com.au/~kirbyhs/dolphinsa.html

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