The Marine Mammal Physiology Project has completed several previous projects surrounding the energetic demands of cetaceans.  These projects have aimed to investigate how much energy is required for various levels of performance, as well as investigate various physiological aspects, such as hormone levels, to determine which are the key factors in regulating such a variable metabolism over the seasons.  Through correlating hormone levels, animal weights, thickness of blubber layers (as determined though the use of ultrasound technology), and daily caloric intake, we have provided additional insight into the physiology of various cetacean species. 


Recently, the Marine Mammal Physiology Project has taken our ability to measure the energetic demands of these animals in a new direction. Bottlenose dolphins, the most common marine mammal under human care, are often used as a model species for other marine mammals when

studying physiology. We are striving to test the waters of the effects of an exercise conditioning program on the overall health and well being of cetaceans under human care. This is being measured by recording resting and maximum heart rates, heart rate recovery time, and blood lactate on our resident bottlenose dolphins. To prepare for this, our dolphins participated in five training sessions a week lasting between 15 to 20 minutes, dedicated to high energy behavior extensions. Maximum heart rate and associated recovery times are being collected and compared to resting baseline heart rate values on a quarterly basis.

Cetacean Energetics