LESSON 2 - SeaTrek Programs

Appendix A: Vocabulary
Delphinidae The taxonomic group that includes true dolphins such as the bottlenose, killer and pilot whales.
Lessons 1, 2.
Dorsal The upper surface of an organism. Lesson 2.
Dorsal fin The main fin located on the back of marine mammals used to maintain balance; composed of fibrous
connective tissue. Lesson 2.
Echolocation A natural form of sonar used in communication and navigation by cetaceans. Lessons 2, 3.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Explains a project's environmental impact, describes measures to reduce
or avoid that impact, and tries to resolve environmental conflicts with the public. Lesson 5.
Estrus The periodic state of sexual excitement in the female of most mammals, excluding humans, that immediately
precedes ovulation and during which the female is most receptive to mating; heat. Lesson 3.
Ethogram A pictorial catalog of the behavioral patterns of an organism or a species. Lesson 4.
Ethologist Someone who studies the behavior of animals in their natural habitats. Lesson 4.
Ethology The scientific study of animal behavior, especially as it occurs in a natural environment. Lesson 4.
Extant Still in existence; not destroyed, lost, or extinct Lesson 2.
Extinct No longer existing or living. Lesson 2.
Fibrous connective tissue A dense substance in which a dolphin’s dorsal fin and tail flukes are composed
of. Lesson 2.
Fish whack Scientists have seen dolphins whacking at fish with their powerful tail flukes. This stuns or kills
the fish, which the dolphins can then easily catch and eat. Dolphins have also been seen slapping algae to
dislodge fish from their hiding places. Lesson 3.
Fluke Either of the two horizontally flattened divisions of the tail of a whale. Lesson 2.
Fusiform Tapering at both ends; spindle-shaped or torpedo-shaped. Lesson 2.
Genital slits Located on the underside, or ventral, area of a cetacean; can use this area to distinguish
males from females dolphins. Lesson 2.
Gestation The carrying of young in the uterus from conception to delivery Lesson 3.
Gregarious Tending to form a group with others of the same kind. Lesson 3.
Husbandry Trained medical behaviors such as blood samples, girth and weight measurements, or ultrasound.
Lesson 3.
Hydrodynamic wake The area of reduced pressure or forward suction produced by and immediately behind
a fast-moving object as it moves through air or water. See also slip stream. Lesson 1.
Immiscible Incapable of being mixed or blended, as oil and water. Lesson 6.
Juvenile Groups Group comprised of male and female dolphins between the ages of approximately 3
and 12; the least stable of dolphin social groups. Lesson 3.
Kerplunk A hunting technique used when a dolphin slams its tail flukes through the ocean’s surface to create
a splash and trail of bubbles in the water; this drives fish from their hiding places. Lesson 3.
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