Dolphin Skeletal System

Although dolphins are huge mammals their skeletal system is actually a lot weaker than those land mammals of the same size, because of the buoyancy of water dolphins do not need strong limbs to support themselves.

Backbone- Dolphin's backbone tend to be very flexible because of the development of large fibrous discs. Their cervical vertebrae is shortened and their neck vertebrae is compressed or sometimes even fused together which would mean that some are only able to move side to side due to this.

Ribs- The ribs of dolphins are said to be "floating" Although the ribs that are attached are joined in order to withstand the pressure of the deep dives.

Skull- The skull of the dolphin has adapted to receive high frequency sounds, the telescoping, telescoped meaning that their jaws are elongated of the upper jaw may be associated with this ability to echolocate. Bottlenose dolphins skull have adapted in a way to enhance their echolocation in every way possible, at its ear the cavity is expanded into a complex sinus on the skull. The sinus helps with differentiating the left and the right ear from each other.

Teeth- Dolphin teeth vary between species some having as many as 252 and others in extreme situations having as few as 4. Although they do have so many teeth these teeth are not differentiated like human teeth having molars, inscisors canines and pre molars. Instead they have conical shaped teeth in both their lower and upper jaw which are perfect for gripping their prey. Bottlenose Dolphins in particular have anywhere from 80-100 teeth and they keep the same teeth from the moment they're babies until they are fully grown.

Dorsal Fins- Are composed of fibrous connective tissue which is used for stability and propulsion.