Why do dolphins have lungs?

[Wiccan_Child]

Why do dolphins have lungs, and not gills? Was God having an off day?

 

[Delphiki]

If they had gills, they wouldn't be able to bid us their farewell as they left earth before it's destroyed for public transportation.

 

[Split Rock]

Why do dolphins have lungs, and not gills? Was God having an off day?

I have often wondered if this is an ecological niche specific for creatures with lungs. Cetaceans evolved for this role, as did ichthyosaurs, mosasaurs and plesiosaurs. They all evolved in competition with large sharks. Perhaps the increase in oygen capacity leads to an increase in activity which is advantagous compared to gill-using animals like sharks.

 

[AV1611VET]

Why do dolphins have lungs, and not gills?

So they won't get the bends?

 

[Martinius]

Because dolphins are mammals, not fish. Like whales have lungs and are mammals. Like people have lungs and are mammals.

There are many kinds of animals (reptiles, amphibians, mammals) that live in water and are not fish. And there are some that move easily between land and water (frogs, gators, otters, beavers, ducks).

The question to ask is why do some mammals, like dolphins and whales, live totally in water?

 

[Jro]

Because dolphins are mammals, not fish. Like whales have lungs and are mammals. Like people have lungs and are mammals.

There are many kinds of animals (reptiles, amphibians, mammals) that live in water and are not fish. And there are some that move easily between land and water (frogs, gators, otters, beavers, ducks).

The question to ask is why do some mammals, like dolphins and whales, live totally in water?

Right, but why do all mammals have lungs, as opposed to some of them having gills and others having lungs as it would most benefit them in their habitat? The point is that their lungs illustrates something about their past, as do the bones of their flippers, whale's legs, etc., etc.

 

[AV1611VET]

Right, but why do all mammals have lungs, as opposed to some of them having gills and others having lungs as it would most benefit them in their habitat? The point is that their lungs illustrates something about their past, as do the bones of their flippers, whale's legs, etc., etc.

According to the Bible, whales came before land animals.

 

[Martinius]

Right, but why do all mammals have lungs, as opposed to some of them having gills and others having lungs as it would most benefit them in their habitat? The point is that their lungs illustrates something about their past, as do the bones of their flippers, whale's legs, etc., etc.

I was going to add something like your last sentence, but wanted people to think a little more, such as what you point out regarding "something about their past". It is good to question and to wonder, it is the reason mankind progresses. I much prefer threads that start with questions like this than those that start out with doctrinal statements.

 

[Nostromo]

Thanks for your contribution AV.

 

[Jro]

According to the Bible, whales came before land animals.

That conclusion isn't supported by the evidence.

I was going to add something like your last sentence, but wanted people to think a little more, such as what you point out regarding "something about their past". It is good to question and to wonder, it is the reason mankind progresses. I much prefer threads that start with questions like this than those that start out with doctrinal statements.

Didn't mean to steal your thunder

 

[AV1611VET]

That conclusion isn't supported by the evidence.

I wasn't aware that was a conclusion.

 

[AV1611VET]

Thanks for your contribution AV.

You're welcome.

Why do I get the feeling I'm just getting started though?

 

[Jro]

I wasn't aware that was a conclusion.

Alright, you are correct, the Bible does say that whales were created before land animals.

The veracity of that statement is not supported by the evidence. To conclude then that whales, in fact, were created before land animals, is a poor conclusion as it is not supported by the evidence.

 

[AV1611VET]

The veracity of that statement is not supported by the evidence.

Since when does any statement in God's Autobiography need to be supported by evidence?

Oh, don't get me wrong.

I can 'play Thomas' and tell others, "Except I shall see ... I will not believe" -- but I'm not a scientist, and God's not in the catering business.

John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

 

[Jro]

Since when does any statement in God's Autobiography need to be supported by evidence?

I think this is getting closer to general theology, and I've been told that's not a topic that's appropriate for this board. If you'd like to continue the conversation over PM's, I'd be happy to, but I don't want to ruffle anyone's feathers and shut down this thread. Suffice it to say that one of the most fruitful methods of studying the natural world and making conclusions about its history has been through an examination of evidence.

 

[AV1611VET]

I think this is getting closer to general theology, and I've been told that's not a topic that's appropriate for this board.

Let me refresh your memory, from the OP:

Was God having an off day?

 

[Jro]

Let me refresh your memory, from the OP:

1) I don't think that the mods will look at that statement the same as they might look upon a statement casting doubt on the Bible in general (feel free to correct me).

2) That's someone else, not me. I'm just trying to follow the rules as best I understand them- feel free to correct me though.

 

[Nathan Poe]

Since when does any statement in God's Autobiography need to be supported by evidence?

"God's Autobiography" -- ROFL.

Keep the laughs coming, AV -- you've already played your "Goddidit" card, so you have nothing left to contribute.

 

[Nostromo]

You're welcome.

Why do I get the feeling I'm just getting started though?

Because you like to start arguments for your own entertainment?

I can 'play Thomas' and tell others, "Except I shall see ... I will not believe" -- but I'm not a scientist, and God's not in the catering business.

http://www.is.wayne.edu/mnissani/a&s/allsci.htm
Not everybody is naturally good at it. At some point you examined the evidence (the Bible, the world) and drew conclusions from it (the Bible is God's word, the world was created). It's the bit in between where one reasons it through that trips up a lot of people.

 

[Supreme]

Aren't dolphins mammals? Therefore, they don't have gills as mammals don't have gills. They get oxygen from the air, not the water. I imagine their haemoglobin has a very high affinity for oxygen.