Meet Mr. Porpoise - Ceta-Base

Young PORPOISE leaping for food. This animal has been knoivn
to clear the water completely when particularly energetic
ship activity neither of the males would permit the
other to leave for even a few seconds.
In February the smaller of the two large males
was removed from the tank and transported by means
of our tank truck to Tampa. It was exhibited there
under the auspices of the State Conservation Department
in a concrete tank for three weeks. After being
brought back by truck, it was again placed in the cir-
cular tank. When the animal was released into the
tank, the greatest amount of excitement on the part
of the larger male was exhibited. No doubt could exist
that the two recognized each other, and for several
hours they swam side by side rushing frenziedlv
through the water, and on several occasions they
leaped completely out of the water. For several days,
the two males were inseparable and neither paid anv
attention to the female.
From our limited experience with the bottle-nosed
dolphin, we find it difficult to ascribe any definite mat-
ing season for the species. Courtship was first observed
when the first two males, previously mentioned, were
placed in the tank with the lone adult female. Court-
ship activity began immediately with several forms
of display by the males. Both would come gliding
across the tank, usually swimming upside down, fre-
(Below) The spotted dolphin sleeping. Slow beats
of the tail enable him to maintain his position
26 NATURAL HISTORY, JANUARY, 1 94O