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Lesson 18 |
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Porpoises |
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What would you say is the main characteristic of porpoises? |
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There has long been a superstition among mariners that porpoises will save drowning men by pushing them to the surface, |
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or protect them from sharks by surrounding them in defensive formation. |
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Marine Studio biologists have pointed out that, however intelligent they may be, it is probably a mistake to credit dolphins with any motive of life-saving. |
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On the occasions when they have pushed to shore an unconscious human being they have much more likely done it out of curiosity or for sport, |
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as in riding the bow waves of a ship. |
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In 1928 some porpoises were photographed working like beavers to push ashore a waterlogged mattress. |
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If, as has been reported, they have protected humans from sharks, |
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it may have been because curiosity attracted them and because the scent of a possible meal attracted the sharks. |
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Porpoises and sharks are natural enemies. |
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It is possible that upon such an occasion a battle ensued, with the sharks being driven away or killed. |
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Whether it be bird, fish or beast, the porpoise is intrigued with anything that is alive. |
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They are constantly after the turtles, who peacefully submit to all sorts of indignities. |
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One young calf especially enjoyed raising a turtle to the surface with his snout, and then shoving him across the tank like an aquaplane. |
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Almost any day a young porpoises may be seen trying to turn a 300-pound sea turtle over by sticking his snout under the edge of his shell |
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and pushing up for dear life. |
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This is not easy, and may require two porpoises working together. |
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In another game, as the turtle swims across the oceanarium, the first porpoise swoops down from above and butts his shell with his belly. |
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This knocks the turtle down several feet. |
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He no sooner recovers his equilibrium than the next porpoises comes along and hits him another crack. |
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Eventually the turtle has been butted all the way down to the floor of the tank. |
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He is now satisfied merely to try to stand up, but as soon as he does so a porpoise knocks him flat. |
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The turtle at last gives up by pulling his feet under his shell and the game is over. |