Dolphins - Blowhole & Breathing

Located at one of the higher points on the horizontally- positioned Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin, the single blowhole is connected only to the animals respiratory (breathing) system. The blowhole is actually a muscular flap which provides an airtight seal. Just before surfacing, the dolphin begins to open the blowhole by contracting this flap and exhaling. The blow or chuff seen during this exhale is NOT water leaving the animal, as water in the lungs would be harmful to the dolphin. It is from the small volume of water resting in the small topside depression on this flap as this animal surfaces. Once the exhale is complete, the dolphin relaxes the muscle, allowing the blowhole flap to close and re-seal.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• dolphin

[Davidkinzett]

This gave me a hard on is this normal ????