Dolphins are marine mammals closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in 17 genera. They vary in size and are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves. Dolphins are carnivores feeding mostly on fish and squid. The family Delphinidae is the largest in the Cetacean order, and evolved relatively recently, about ten million years ago, during the Miocene. Dolphins are among the most intelligent animals, and their often friendly appearance, an artifact of the "smile" of their mouthline, and seemingly playful attitude have made them very popular in human culture. Dolphins are often regarded as one of Earth's most intelligent animals, though it is hard to say just how intelligent.
Dolphins are social, living in pods of up to a dozen individuals. In places with a high abundance of food, pods can merge temporarily, forming a super pod; such groupings may exceed 1,000 dolphins. Individuals communicate using a variety of clicks, whistle-like sounds and other vocalizations. Membership in pods is not rigid; interchange is common. However, dolphins can establish strong social bonds; they will stay with injured or ill individuals, even helping them to breathe by bringing them to the surface if needed. Dolphins occasionally leap above the water surface, and sometimes perform acrobatic figures. Scientists are not certain about the purpose(s) of the acrobatics. Possibilities include locating schools of fish by looking at above-water signs like feeding birds, communicating with other dolphins, dislodging parasites or simple amusement. Play is an important part of dolphin culture. Dolphins play with seaweed and play-fight with other dolphins. At times they harass other local creatures, like seabirds and turtles. Dolphins enjoy riding waves and frequently surf coastal swells and the bow waves of boats, at times "leaping" between the dual bow waves of a moving catamaran. Occasionally, they playfully interact with swimmers. Captive dolphins have been observed in aquariums engaging in complex play behaviour which involves the creation and manipulation of bubble rings.
The mystical land of Kerala, also known as 'GOD'S OWN COUNTRY' lies between the Lakshadweep sea and the Western Ghats. It has the humid equatorial tropic climate. The eastern Kerala province consists of high mountains, gorges and deep-cut valleys directly to the west of the Western Ghats' rain shadow. The highest peak is Anamudi at an elevated at 2,695 meters. At the west of the mountains lie the midland plains comprising central Kerala, dominated by rolling hills and valleys.
Kerala's western coastal belt is somewhat flat, and is criss-crossed by a network of interconnected brackish canals, lakes, estuaries, and rivers known as the Kerala Backwaters. Around 8% of India's waterways lengthwise are found in Kerala. The most significant of Kerala's forty-four rivers include the Periyar (244 km), the Bharathapuzha (209 km), the Pamba (176 km), the Chaliyar (169 km), the Kadalundipuzha River (130 km), the Valapattanam (129 km) and the Achankovil (128 km). As Kerala's rivers are small and lack deltas, they are more prone to environmental factors.
During summer, Kerala is prone to gale force winds, storm surges, cyclone-related torrential downpours, occasional droughts, and rises in sea level. The mean daily temperatures range from 19.8 °C to 36.7 °C and mean annual temperatures range from 25.0--27.5 °C in the coastal lowlands to 20.0--22.5 °C in the eastern highlands.
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