Dolphins sometimes work together to create a “fish carousel” by swimming in circles around a school of fish to trap them!
Dolphins
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Facts About Dolphins
Dolphins eat different types of fish depending on where they live, but their favorites include herring, mackerel, and mullet!
Some dolphins follow fishing boats to catch fish that escape from the nets!
Dolphins help each other hunt by taking turns watching for predators while others feed!
A dolphin’s throat is only about the size of a fist, so they have to catch and eat smaller fish!
🌎 Conservation & Population
There are around 600,000 bottlenose dolphins in the world’s oceans today!
The biggest threats to dolphins are fishing nets, pollution, and loss of habitat!
Scientists can identify individual dolphins by taking photos of their dorsal fins, helping them track population numbers!
Dolphins are considered “sentinel species,” which means their health tells us about the health of the ocean!
🌟 Fun and Unique Facts
A dolphin’s echolocation is so precise it can tell the difference between a ping pong ball and a golf ball from 50 feet (15 meters) away!
Dolphins can recognize themselves in mirrors, showing they have self-awareness!
The clicking sounds dolphins make for echolocation can be as loud as a firecracker!
Dolphins can swim while unconscious, allowing them to always stay moving even when resting!
A dolphin’s hearing is so good they can hear sounds from 10 times farther away than humans can!
Each dolphin has a unique pattern of clicks and whistles that acts like their own special song!
Dolphins sometimes blow bubble rings underwater and play with them like toys!
A dolphin’s tail moves up and down when swimming, unlike fish whose tails move side to side!
Dolphins can learn to “walk” backwards on their tail in the water!
Some dolphins have been observed carrying shells on their beaks, possibly just for fun!
Dolphins make different sounds depending on whether they’re happy, hunting, or warning others of danger!
Baby dolphins begin whistling and clicking within hours of being born!
Dolphins can make up to 1,000 different sounds using their blowholes, tongues, and teeth!
Dolphins give each other nicknames by creating special whistles for their friends!
Dolphins form lifelong friendships with other dolphins in their pod!
Young male dolphins often form groups called “bachelor pods” until they’re old enough to start their own families!
Dolphins take turns babysitting each other’s calves while other mothers go hunting!
Dolphins living in the same area develop their own unique “dialect” of clicks and whistles!
Different pods of dolphins have their own hunting techniques that they pass down through generations!
Dolphins remember and recognize their pod members even after being separated for many years!
A dolphin’s body temperature stays at 98.6°F (37°C), just like humans, even in cold water!
Dolphins have a special layer of fat called blubber that keeps them warm in cold water!
A dolphin’s heart beats slower when they dive deep, helping them stay underwater longer!
When dolphins dive deep, their bodies adapt to handle the water pressure. Their lungs and rib cages can compress slightly, and they save oxygen by slowing their heart rate!
The white belly of a dolphin helps camouflage them from predators swimming below them!
Dolphins have special blood vessels near their fins that help them cool down when they get too warm!
A dolphin’s muscles are specially designed to help them swim efficiently without getting tired!
A dolphin’s brain is bigger than a human’s in some cases, and it has lots of folds, which helps them think and solve problems. This makes them one of the smartest animals in the ocean!
Dolphins show signs of having their own culture, with different groups having different behaviors and traditions!
Dolphins can solve complex puzzles and have demonstrated the ability to count!
Dolphins can understand basic sentences using artificial sign language!
Some dolphins travel up to 100 miles per day looking for food!
Dolphins can swim in very shallow water that’s only a few feet deep!
Some dolphins migrate seasonally to follow their favorite fish!
Dolphins can leap out of the water to save energy because moving through air requires less effort than moving through water!
Dolphins have excellent eyesight both in and out of water!
A dolphin’s teeth continue to grow throughout their entire life!
Dolphins have two stomachs — one for storing food and one for digesting it!
Dolphins heal from wounds much faster than humans do!
Dolphins don’t have a sense of smell, but they have an excellent sense of taste!
Dolphins can recognize their reflection in a mirror by 7 months of age!
