On January 11th, off the coast of Hawaii, a dolphin who got into some trouble approached divers for help. The dolphin, whose pectoral fin was pierced by a fishing hook and whose body was entangled in fishing line, let out a cry and swam up to one of the divers, nudging him gently. The diver, Keller Laros, said it was obvious that the animal was looking for help. He was able to cut the fishing line and remove the hook from the animal’s fin, but when more divers approached the dolphin to help untangle it, it swam off and didn’t return.

(Information and video source)

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is one of the most endangered mammals in the world. This extremely rare species is very susceptible to human influences, such as tourism, so it usually hides away in caves. The collapsing of these caves, along with pollution, overfishing, and infection are the greatest threat to this species, which is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN.

(Photo source)

The New Zealand sea lion, also known as Hooker’s sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri), may look absolutely adorable, but they are intense hunters. They feed on fish, crabs, penguins, and even seal pups. Their habitat is restricted to a few islands just south of New Zealand, but they forage for food up to 150 km from shore during the daytime before returning at night to rest.

(Photo source)

Dugong (Dugong dugon)

Photo credit: Mark Evans

Fun fact: I do not like marine mammals. I don’t like most mammals in general, to be honest (neglecting the fact that I love all animals—except for dolphins); however, I think that the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a wonderful creature and has a strikingly beautiful scientific name that means “big-winged New Englander.”

Among the most acrobatic of whales, humpbacks appear to breach to stun fish schools or to communicate information to other herd members.

Photo © Laurent Ballesta

The Ribbon Seal (Histriophoca fasciata) is one of nine species of ice seals inhabiting the Arctic. What sets them apart is that they are physiologically and anatomically adapted to make deeper dives and swim faster than other seals. Also making them unique, ribbon seals run across ice by alternating their foreflippers and swinging their hindquarters as opposed to using the caterpillar-like movement used by most other seals. Ribbon seal pups are born all white, but after one year they begin to develop the signature dark body with light bands.

The fin whale is the second largest creature on Earth, reaching maximum lengths of 82 feet (25 meters) for males and 89 feet (27 meters) for females. Fins are baleen whales: They use the fringelike baleen in their mouths to strain krill and tiny fish from the massive amounts of water they ingest as they feed.

Photograph by Daisy Gilardini

MANATEES
Order Sirenia

• Found in coastal areas protected from wind/storms
• Vegetarians
• Need warm water (> 68° F)
• Harmless and slow
• Killed frequently by boat strikes
• Range: extinct in most of range, found in US in Louisiana - Virginia
• Size: 13 ft, 3500 lbs
• Lifespan: 50 - 60 years
• Birth rate: 1 calf every 2 - 3 years per female
• Population = Endangered

POLAR BEARS
Order Carnivora
Family Ursidae

• 11 ft tall on hind legs
• Fur
    - Two layers
    - Matches color of snow/ice
    - Black skin to absorb sunlight
    - Buoyant
• Streamlines for swimming, webbing between toes, blubber
• Threatened due to chemical pollution
    - Greenhouse gasses and PCBs
• Range: Arctic coastlines & iceflows
• Size: 8 ft long, 11 ft tall, 1600 lbs (females much smaller)
• Lifespan: 20 years
• Birth rate: 1 - 2 pups per year per female
• Population = Threatened

SEA OTTERS
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae (weasel family)

• Smallest marine mammal
• Thick fur, 2 layers
    - Traps layer of air
    - No blubber
• Anchor themselves by wrapping in kelp
• Use tools to break open shells
• Threatened species
    - hunted, oil spills, killer whales
• Size: 60 - 90 lbs
• Lifespan: 10 - 20 years
• Birth rate: 1 pup per year per female