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