Dolphins are marine mammals that rely on the ocean for survival, despite being air-breathing creatures that must surface regularly to inhale. Unlike fish, dolphins possess lungs and a blowhole, which they consciously use to breathe at the surface. This means they are aquatic but not physiologically adapted to spend significant time outside of their buoyant, liquid environment. When removed from the sea, their survival on land is limited to minutes or a few hours, tied directly to the immediate failure of their specialized biological systems.
The Critical Time Window and Immediate Dangers
A dolphin’s survival outside of water is measured on a short clock, generally lasting from a few minutes to a couple of hours depending on ambient conditions and the animal’s size. The body is not designed to function without water’s buoyancy. Without the ocean to counteract gravity, the dolphin’s immense weight presses down on its internal organs and circulatory system. This pressure causes rapid, internal crushing of the lungs and blood vessels, known as gravitational collapse, leading quickly to respiratory failure.
Hyperthermia
Another danger that manifests almost instantly is hyperthermia, or severe overheating. Dolphins possess a thick layer of blubber, which serves as insulation in cool ocean water. This adaptation becomes detrimental when exposed to air, especially under direct sunlight, because they lack sweat glands to dissipate heat effectively. Without water, the blubber traps heat, causing the core temperature to spike dangerously fast. This inability to thermoregulate makes the window of unassisted survival extremely narrow before irreversible damage occurs.
Physiological Dependence on Water
Water is indispensable for maintaining the integrity of a dolphin’s specialized skin, beyond supporting weight and regulating temperature. Dolphin skin is highly adapted for aquatic life, lacking the thick, protective layers found on terrestrial animals. Once exposed to air, this sensitive skin begins to dry out rapidly, leading to desiccation.
If a dolphin remains exposed for a moderate length of time, the skin can crack and peel, causing severe dehydration. This damage compromises the skin’s barrier function, leading to a loss of essential fluids and leaving underlying tissues vulnerable to infection.
Furthermore, their skin is so finely tuned to a marine environment that prolonged exposure to fresh water can cause a serious condition called Freshwater Skin Disease. This condition causes the skin cells to swell and rupture, demonstrating the necessity of a specific saline environment for their physiological balance.
What Happens During a Stranding Event
When a dolphin strands, the immediate priority for human intervention is to mitigate the dangers of crushing and overheating. The first step is to contact a professional stranding network immediately. While waiting for experts, bystanders can take specific actions to maximize the animal’s survival time.
Immediate Bystander Actions
The most important action is to ensure the blowhole, located on the top of the head, remains completely clear of sand or debris so the animal can breathe. To combat overheating and desiccation, rescuers should continuously apply cool water to the dolphin’s body, avoiding the blowhole and eyes. They should also use wet sheets or towels to cover the skin and create shade using a tarp or umbrella to prevent direct sun exposure. To relieve the pressure from gravitational collapse, shallow trenches can be carefully dug beneath the pectoral fins and chest region. These actions stabilize the animal by substituting for the water’s natural support and cooling effects until professional rescue and assessment can occur.