Dolphin Facts

Dolphin Facts

1. There are five species of river dolphins, three of them live only in rivers. All of them are less than 10 feet long and weigh less than 400 pounds.

2. There are 33 species of dolphins that live in the seas and oceans.

3. Dolphins are mammals that live in the water. Although these sleek creatures look like fish they are not. They are air breathing mammals just like us. Dolphins are mammals called cetaceans, which means "sea monster".

4. Dolphins are divided into two groups. The larger most common group is called “Delphinide” which are salt water dolphins. The smaller group is called “Platanistidae” which are freshwater dolphins.

5. Dolphins are warm blooded which means they use part of their energy to maintain a stable body temperature. Dolphins have fat which is called blubber that insulates them from the cold water. Some dolphins in Artic regions can have blubber that is 20 inches thick!

6. Dolphins eat mostly fish but, some eat shrimp and squid, too.

7. River Dolphins will eat small shellfish and turtles.

8. Many dolphin species hunt in groups, following herds of fish.

9. Most dolphin species live in salt water in the tropical or temperate zones.

10. Some stay close to coastlines. However, others live far out in the ocean.

11. Some dolphin species migrate throughout these premises. 

12. Some species of dolphins live in rivers, not salt water.

13. All dolphin species behaves differently around each other. Some dolphins live together in groups of 100 or more, but, others swim  with only five of ten companions or members of their family. 

14. Small dolphins only live about 15 years. Orcas however sometimes live to be 80 to 90 years old.

15. Big brains and different ways of communication are dolphins specialties. Dolphins use tons of noises to communicate, that includes whistles, squeaks, chirps, and clicks.

16. Several dolphin species are in danger. The Yangize River dolphin may soon be extinct. Fishing nets trap and kill thousands of dolphins every year. And as growing human population seek to catch more fish, there are fewer left for the dolphins.

17. The front limbs on a dolphin are called FLIPPERS.  Dolphins use Flippers for steering.

18. The dolphin’s tail is called its FLUKE.  The dolphin uses its flukes for swimming.

19. Dolphins live all over the world - from colder northern and southern waters to warm tropical waters.  The bottlenose dolphin prefers warmer water.

20. Dolphins communicate by using sound, vision, touch, and taste.  Each dolphin can make a unique signature whistle that help other dolphins recognize each other.

21. Dolphins have lungs just like us and they fill them with air through their nose or blowhole. When we breathe we replace only 15 percent of the air in our lungs with fresh air. Dolphins replace 90 percent of the air in their lungs with fresh air. So dolphins can stay underwater for 7-10 minutes. 

22. Hearing is a dolphin’s most important sense. Dolphins have a unique way of gathering information called “Ecolocation”. Dolphins make creaky door sounds, high pitched squeals, rat a tat clicks, chirps, whistles, groans and claps. They make a lot of noises that are too high for the human ear to hear. Each dolphin has a unique whistle that can be recognized by other dolphins. 

23. To hunt fish some species of dolphins use a method called ‘’herding’’ which is performed by a pod of dolphins, where some of them surround a school of fish as close as possible. Then the others take turns to dive through the fish and feed.

24. Dolphins do everything underwater. A dolphin mom gives birth to a calf who is about a third the size of mom herself. She feeds her calf with her milk just like other mammals. 

25. They are like small whales, and can swim more than 25 miles per hour. 

26. They have 94 teeth and they travel in groups called pods. 

27. Inside their pectoral fins, dolphins have a skeletal structure similar to a human arm and hand. 

28. They have a humerus with a ball and socket joint. 

29. They have a radius and ulna, as well as a complete hand structure, including five finger bones. 

30. This makes scientists think dolphins evolved from a terrestrial ancestor.

31. When they are born, dolphins have whiskers on their rostrum. 

32. A dolphin’s whiskers are about one quarter inch long, and will fall out after birth, because of water pressure.