It's a boy!

The staff at the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key have determined that the baby born to dolphin Aleta on Nov. 22 is, indeed, male.

"It's actually kind of early to know," said Mary Stella, the center's media coordinator.

That's because apart from a crowd of onlookers -- staff and guests -- to witness the birth, it's strictly a hands-off policy. Staff had to wait to catch a glimpse of the baby's underside to know for sure. (Males have two slits in a vertical pattern and females have two smaller slits on either side of a longer one.)

For the moment, mother and baby spend their day bonding, just like a human child and parent. The pair is in constant motion, circling the front lagoon in close formation. The baby nurses often and seems to be developing normally. Aleta is eating well and likes to turn on her side to see who has come to admire her new baby.

Everyone has an opinion on what the baby's name should be.

"We don't name them right away. We like to see what their 'dolphin-ality' is first," Stella said.

Although the trainers won't make any type of approach until either the mother or baby signals an interest, the staff at the Dolphin Research Center have made a very complete video record of the occasion.

At the first sign that Aleta was in labor, the video camera came out.

"We knew something was happening because she started arching her back and then hunching," Stella said. Soon enough the baby's tail was visible as it emerged in the normal "feet-first" fashion of dolphin births.

"The tail is sort of folded up like a scroll at first, and then it starts to relax. The fins are also floppy in order for the baby to be flexible enough to emerge from the birth canal," Stella said. Within hours the fins become stronger, but total control is still months away.

"As soon as the baby came out, Aleta was steering it around the lagoon. We don't know when the babies develop their echolocation skills, " Stella said. "She's also taught the baby 'chin slap' breathing where the whole head comes out of the water so the babies can take a deep breath."

Dolphin babies are born with blunt noses, very dark skin and bright pink tummies. They also appear to have stripes that are called fetal bands. Stella said that all those characteristics are due to being cramped in the mother's womb.

"Recording those characteristics and noting when they change is very helpful. When someone spots a baby dolphin in the wild, they will be able to know approximately how old it is," she said.

The new baby is one of about 20 dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center, most of which were born in captivity. The center has an important purpose, Stella said.

"We believe that the more people learn about the animals in this setting, the more they will care about and protect the oceans and marine life. If seeing a baby dolphin reaffirms people's commitment to protecting the environment and animal life, then that's all for the best."

To see the baby, or make a name suggestion, stop by the Dolphin Research Center at Mile Marker 58 on Grassy Key or visit the center's Web site at www.dolphins.org.

smatthis@keysnews.com