DOLPHINS

Welcome to the Dolphin Store. Who can resist these graceful, intelligent creatures who have a wonderful ability to interact with humans and bring so much enjoyment and wonder to us? For more information about dolphins see our information below. To see all sections of the store visit Dolphin Store, to go directly to a specific section, click on that link below:

Loveable Plush Dolphins (Soft Cuddlie Dolphin with even one with Authentic Dolphin Sounds)

Trinket & Treasure Boxes (Christian Lassen, Lenox, Whimsical, Incolay and more Trinket & Treasure Boxes)

Art Glass (Lead Crystal Figurines, Etched Dolphin Glass and Dolphin Creations on Glass)

Gifts for the Home (Dolphin Clocks, Shower Curtain, Dolphin Doorbell & even a Dolphin Christmas Ornament and Much More)

Jewelry

Dazzling Dolphins (Costume Jewelry-Dolphin Pins with Swarovski Crystals, and Sterling Silver Double Dolphin Bracelet)

Gold (Beautiful Dolphin Gold Coin Necklaces & Earrings)

Pewter (Unique Pewter Dolphin Jewelry)

Sterling Silver (Gorgeous Handcrafted Sterling Silver Jewelry)

Pewter Gifts (Pewter Dolphins Lenox Figuries, Clocks and even a Pewter Dolphin Letter Opener)

Puzzles, Gifts, Etc. (Especially for Young Dolphin Lovers)

Scupltures (Dolphin Sculptures by Christian Lassen, Lenox and Wyland)

Unique Gifts (Water Globes, Clocks, Money Clips, Collectibles and even Christmas Decoration for the Dolphin Lover)

We hope you enjoy your visit. Please email us using the "Special Request Form" if you have questions and need help. Thank you for visiting us!

DOLPHIN INFORMATION

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are the most common marine mammal in the coastal and estuarine waters near Cape Lookout and Beaufort, NC. North Carolinians have related to dolphins in a variety of ways ranging from commercial dolphin net fisheries (late 1700s-1920s, used primarily for oil, leather, and fertilizer) to conservation of this depleted and federally protected population.

Just about everyone is captivated by the sight of dolphins. Here when the weather starts getting warm you can stand on the beach and if lucky enough you can see the dolphins swimming up the beach and if you are really lucky you can see them return in the evening. Occasionally they will do tricks such as jumping through the air, and of course "walking" backwards on the water. Dolphins will swim along with your boat as if playing tag, some will even "beg for food". It is easy to forget that they are wild and not trained dolphins.

If you see dolphins in the wild please remember these simple rules:

Do not harass the dolphins-give them space. They are very powerful animals and are not there for your amusement.
Never attempt to feed a wild dolphin. It is illegal and could easily result in the dolphin's death through incorrect food or bacteria in the fish.
Do not throw rubbish in the ocean or on the beach, and please clean up any that you see. Many dolphins die from swallowing foreign objects.
Because many dolphins are injured by boat motors, make sure the boat you are in drives carefully near dolphins.

Today, threats to dolphins include unintentional entanglement in commerical and recreational fishing gear, ingestion of litter, contamination of food sources, boat strikes, and intentional (but illegal) feeding of dolphin by boaters. Dolphins are wild animals, and if they get used to interacting with people, it can create danger to the animals as well as to humans. Some wild dolphins have come to expect the handouts, and have been known to become aggressive and bite. In addition, it is against federal law to feed or harass wild dolphins, punishable by imprisonment and /or fines.

Researchers at the NC maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC have been using photo-identification since 1985 to study the local bottlenose dolphins. Studies are being conducted to monitor the annual presence of individual dolphins and studying association patterns and reproductive rates of known dolphins.

For more information about the dolphin studies or to make a contribution to help support the education, research and conservation efforts of the NC Maritime Museum or to purchase the special license plate visit the Cape Lookout Studies Program.

Information is also available at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Come and enjoy watching the dolphin's grace and beauty and leave them as you found them -

wild and free.

Dolphin pictures by Keith Rittmaster

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