Burrunan Dolphin

Burrunan Dolphin (Tursiops australis) is a species of bottlenose dolphin found in parts of Victoria, Australia. It was recognised as a species in 2011. Though the species classification is contested by some, a larger body of evidence now exists, further validating the Burrunan as a subspecies or potential species of bottlenose dolphin.

Etymology

The dolphin's common name, Burrunan, is an Aboriginal name in the Boonwurrung, Woiwurrung and Taungurung languages, meaning "large sea fish of the porpoise kind".

Physical Appearance

The Burrunan dolphin is dark bluish-gray at the top near to the dorsal fin extending over the head and sides of the body. Along the midline, it is a lighter gray which extends as a blaze over on the side near the dorsal fin. Ventrally, it is off-white, which reaches over the eye and the flipper in some instances. By size, it is smaller than the common bottlenose dolphin, but larger than the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin.

Abilities

Dolphins search for prey primarily using echolocation, which is a form of sonar. Dolphins also use sound for communication, including squeaks emitted from the blowhole, whistles emitted from nasal sacs below the blowhole, and sounds emitted through body language, such as leaping from the water and slapping their tails on the water. Their heads contain an oily substance that both acts as an acoustic lens and protects the brain case. They emit clicking sounds and listen for the return echoes to determine the location and shape of nearby items, including potential prey.

Weaknesses

Dolphins don't suffocate outside of water; they breathe air like all mammals, although they can die of dehydration out of water. They are vulnerable to many stressors and threats including disease, biotoxins, pollution, habitat alteration including freshwater incursions, vessel strikes, human feeding of and activities causing harassment, interactions with commercial and recreational fishing, energy exploration and oil spills, and other types of human disturbance, such as underwater noise.

Ecology

Dolphins have few marine enemies. Some species or specific populations have none, making them apex predators. Because the magnitude of threats may differ among tributaries, extrapolation from these small study areas should be undertaken with caution. The tucuxi exists in small groups of about 10-15 individuals, and swim in tight-knit groups, suggesting a highly developed social structure. Tucuxis are quite active and may jump clear of the water (a behavior known as breaching), somersault, spy-hop or tail-splash.

Burrunan dolphins and other dolphins are thought to be some of the smartest animals on the planet, challenging the great apes (chimps and gorillas) for the top spot. They are also extremely curious and often approach people to investigate. Their intelligence is likely both a result of and a driver of their complex social structures. Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins feed on a wide variety of fish and cephalopods (particularly squid).

Behavior

As a very social species, the Burrunan dolphin lives in groups called pods that typically number about 15 individuals, but group size varies from pairs of dolphins to over 100 or even occasionally over 1,000 animals for short periods of time. The types of groups include: nursery groups, juvenile groups, and groups of adult males. If the dolphin can not find a path to a dropped item, the dolphin may stay underwater to the point of drowning. Should the survivor or another creature hit a dolphin, the whole pod retaliates, attacking all at once similar to other sociable animals.

Distribution and Habitat

The Burrunan dolphin is only found in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. Recently there has been genetic confirmation of the Burrunan genetic type found in Western Australia, however little is known about their presence or numbers in Western Australian waters.

Movement Pattern: Not a Migrant
Individual Type: Pod
Population Trend: Unknown
Population: ???
Locomotion: Aquatic
Habitat: All
Earth:
- Extant (Resident): Australia
Berbania: worldwide
Reinachos: worldwide
Delphia: worldwide
Sawintir: worldwide

Tamed

You cannot tame most dolphin species, except for common dolphin, orca, tucuxi, spotted dolphin, Commerson's dolphin, and bottlenose dolphin. Dolphins can be fed raw cod or pulled along with a lead that are tamed non-violently, rather than through a cordial and curious creature, it will slowly approach any survivor that is within radius. To tame it, you need to pet the creature twice, then feed it with fish or lobster meat.

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