THE BOTTLENOSE PORPOISE IN CAPTIVITY 



swam day and night in the same circle from right to left, 

 but always fed freely. 



There is considerable mobility of the neck of the por- 

 poise, an animal lacking all outward appearance of a neck. 

 The head can be turned down at an angle of about 45 

 degrees to the body, and can be turned as far sideways 

 with equal readiness. These motions can be seen at feeding 

 time and w r hen the animals are tossing fishes. 



There is no evidence that the porpoise can see out of 

 water. In throwing a fish the head is often thrust well 

 above the surface, but the animal seems to be always in- 

 tent on its plaything, entirely disregarding the visitors lean- 

 ing over the rail five or six feet away. While a fish thrown 

 into the water is promptly seized, the porpoise pays no at- 

 tention to a fish suspended by a thread two inches above 

 the surface. If the eyes of porpoises and other whales 

 were fitted for observation above the surface of the water, 

 as are the eyes of seals, they might long ago have learned 

 to use them in the same way. 1 



Porpoises instantly recognize any change that may occur 

 in connection with the w r ater level of the pool. The entirely 

 noiseless opening of a distant valve to lower the water is 

 apparent to them and may stop their play temporarily. A 

 pool only thirty-seven feet in diameter does not of course 

 afford space for the high activity of which the porpoise 

 is capable. Nevertheless they often leap three feet or 

 more clear of the surface, sometimes striking the water 

 forcibly enough to throw spray thirty feet into the air. 

 The visitor soon gets the impression that they enjoy life 

 even in captivity and their keepers, while always vigilant 



1 1 do not believe that because the porpoise would not seize 

 a fish suspended above the water, it is evidence that it could 

 not see it. Not being accustomed to take its food out of the 

 water, the animal probably did not know what the fish was. A 

 wounded porpoise which I kept alive for some time on a ship 

 in the Pacific could see my hand if it was brought within a few 

 feet of its eyes. R. C. A. 



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