There are about 45 species of dolphins and porpoises, including four subspecies of bottlenose dolphins that are found all over the world in temperate and tropical waters. The Dolphin Quest animals are Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. In Dolphin Quest French Polynesia, there are also rough-toothed dolphins, Steno bredanensis. Respiration - All cetaceans breathe air through blowholes located on the top of the head. Dolphins have a single blowhole through which they breathe at the surface once or twice a minute.
Dolphins can hold their breath for up to ten minutes.
Some of the larger cetaceans can hold their breath up to and exceeding one hour. Adaptations - Cetaceans are remarkably well adapted to aquatic life. Their streamlined shape allows for efficient movement through the water. Dolphins and whales have a pectoral flipper on each side of the body which act as rudders, stabilizers, and brakes. The pectoral flippers have the same bones as we have in our arms and hands.