Dolphins, Sea Lions & Parrots

Bottlenose dolphins, the genus Tursiops, are the most common and well-known members of the family Delphinidae, the family of oceanic dolphins. Numerous investigations of bottlenose dolphin intelligence have been conducted, examining mimicry, use of artificial language, object categorization, and self-recognition. They can use tools (sponging) and transmit cultural knowledge across generations, and their considerable intelligence has driven interaction with humans.

Sea lions are any of seven species in seven genera of modern pinnipeds including one extinct species (the Japanese sea lion). Sea lions are characterized by the presence of external ear pinnae (ear-flaps), long front flippers, the ability to walk on all four flippers on land. The South American male sea lions have a very large head with a well developed mane and they are twice the weight of females. Both males and females are orange or brown coloured with upturned snouts.

Parrots, also known as psittacines, are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes found in most warm and tropical regions. The order is subdivided in three families: the Psittacidae (true parrots), the Cacatuidae (cockatoos) and the Strigopidae (New Zealand parrots). The greatest diversity of parrots is found in South America and Australasia.  Parrots can imitate the calls of other members of their flock, which allows them to communicate between themselves about for example food or the presence of danger. Parrots can also imitate the calls of other animals which serves as their defense against predators.

Reptiles are animals in the (Linnaean) class Reptilia which are characterized by breathing air, a typically cold blooded (poikilothermic) metabolism, laying tough-shelled eggs (or retaining the same membrane system in species with live birth), and having skin with scales or scutes. They are tetrapods (either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors) and lay amniotic eggs. Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs and acting as a shield. The term “Turtle” may refer to the order as a whole or to fresh water and sea dwelling testudines.