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Dolphin Facts
Dolphins are not fish, they are sea mammals. While dolphins
are shaped like fish they do not have gills, and they
must surface to breathe air. Dolphins are also warm-blooded
and they give live birth and produce milk for their
young. All dolphins are in fact toothed whales. There
are approximately 32 species of dolphin worldwide. The
biggest dolphin is actually the killer whale.
Dolphins grow 4-30 feet long depending on the species.
Dolphins and porpoises are often confused with each
other. Porpoises look like small dolphins but they have
plumper bodies .Porpoises also have a blunt snout rather
than a beak like profile. The tails of both dolphins
and porpoises are divided into two paddle-like parts
called flukes.
Dolphins have two blow holes at the top of their heads.
These holes are used for them to breathe. The dolphins
surfaces and takes air in through the blow hole, when
they go under the water the blow hole closes. Before
taking another breath the whale blows out the old air
through the blow hole, this sprays the water making
it look like a fountain.
Dolphins live in coastal waters and eat fish, crabs
and squid.
Dolphins live in schools or small groups. Members of
a dolphin school look after one another. Dolphins are
high intelligent creatures with a complex communication
system. Dolphins communicate with other dolphins using
a series of clicks, chirps, and whistles. Dolphins are
very social and playful.
Dolphins use echolocation to navigate their underwater
playground. Dolphins emit high-pitched clicks then use
the echos that bounce-back from objects in the water
to determine the location of items.
At one time fisherman used long drifting nets that
were several miles long that float near the ocean’s
surface. Dolphins, whales, seals and sea turtles would
often become caught in the nets and drown. The United
Nations has imposed a ban on the use of drifting nets
for fishing.
A Dolphin's lifespan is 50 years.
About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals
http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife
and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog
Pound http://www.dog-pound.net
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