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Artwork (Digital) / Animal related (non-anthro)
Species Dolphin
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I am lerning to dive with local diving club, so this was thing I just had to draw.
Category Artwork (Digital) / Animal related (non-anthro)
Species Dolphin
Size 1090 x 909px
File Size 174.1 kB
Actually, I have been thinking about this a lot. I found few sketches of dolphin beak and throat that suggested that mouth are completely disconnected from respiratory system. But then I found other sketches in book by J.C Lilly. It looked like there are some kind of cone shaped muscles that can be lifted to make a connection between blowhole and pharynx / mouth. However I still don't know if they can breath trough their mouth, If it is possible for them to make this connection.
Huh. To be fair, I did not know this. Still, though, I Googled it and it seems the consensus is pretty much that they don't have a connection. I admire Lilly and his work, but keep in mind that he conducted his research decades ago. Whatever material you might find in his literature can be outdated.
That being said, this is make-believe and you can have your dolphin breathe however you want. I just chimed in with my understanding to be informative.
That being said, this is make-believe and you can have your dolphin breathe however you want. I just chimed in with my understanding to be informative.
The modified larynx, also called the "goosebeak", extends into the nasopharynx and a nasopharyngeal sphincter muscle creates a tight seal around it to keep the food- and airways separate. It isn't permanently fixed in that position, and can be disconnected when swallowing large food.
I don't know if they can disconnect it intentionally and breath through their mouths this way, though.
I don't know if they can disconnect it intentionally and breath through their mouths this way, though.
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