How long can dolphins go without being in water?
A. Dolphins and whales out of water have two problems: heat and their own weight. Large animals have low surface to volume ratios, so it is hard for them to cool themselves. Also, whales are well insulated (blubber), which is good if they’re in the water, but not if they’re beached. It’s like having a winter coat on in 70 degree weather, you’d overheat very quickly. A whale’s body isn’t designed to support its own weight, it relies on water for support. The larger whales will die from their own weight if they’re beached long enough.
