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Dolphin

Florida State Saltwater Mammal

Dolphin jump; photo by Bodhi Surf on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / share alike). 

Official State Saltwater Mammal of Florida

The dolphin (Tursiops truncates) was designated the official state saltwater mammal of Florida in 1975 (the manatee and Florida panther are also official mammal symbols of Florida). All State Mammals - All State Water-life Symbols

Dolphins are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves. They are carnivores, eating primarily fish and squid. Often incorrectly called porpoise (even in the 1975 Florida legislation: "... porpoise, also commonly known as the dolphin, Tursiops truncates ..."), dolphins are in the order Cetacea (whales) and are considered to be among the most intelligent of animals, using extensive and complex communications within intricate social networks.

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