The chemical bonds of food molecules contain energy that is released when the bonds of the food molecules are broken down. This energy is necessary for sustaining life processes. Scientists have calculated the basic number of food calories that different animals need to obtain each day in order to survive and to be healthy. Caloric requirements vary throughout an animal's life. When an animal is young, it requires a greater number of daily calories for growth.
Increased activity increases the demand for more calories, as does pregnancy.
When a dolphin calf is born, it is critically important that it learn to nurse within the first two days of life. It is also necessary that the nursing be effective, meaning that the calf receives a required number of calories to sustain life. The average newborn bottlenose dolphin calf weighs 20 kilograms. Of course, the calf needs more calories, as it grows larger. The animal care staff carefully monitors the calf's general behavior and body form, number and durations of nursing events, and it's growth.