Most mammals (for example humans, dogs, and cats) have simple stomachs. Dolphins are polygastric mammals, meaning they have multiple stomachs. In this respect they are similar to cows and other mammals which must chew a cud (ruminate) in order to break down the roughage they consume. Other examples of ruminants are sheep, antelope, deer, and giraffes.

Dolphins are not cud-chewers. Their digestive system does function differently, but not due to roughage. The dolphin has two stomachs, split into three sections. The first stomach stores food, and the two sections of the second stomach do the digesting.

Favored foods of most species of dolphins are fish, octopus, and squid. They generally find their prey by using echolocation. Although dolphins have the ability to locate edibles from as far as 0.5 miles (0.8 km) away, when a large quantity of food is found they need to be able to take advantage of the opportunity. With their ability to consume up to 30 pounds a day, they literally need the extra stomach space.

*The dorsal fin is a single fin found on the dolphin’s back. It serves to stabilize the animal against rolling and assists with sudden turns. Dorsal fins vary in size and shape depending on the species. Some river dolphins’ dorsal fins are not prominent, but more like bumps on their backs.

*In mammals, the rostrum is the part of the cranium (skull) which holds the teeth, palate, and nasal cavity. In the case of dolphins it may also be referred to as the “beak”.

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