There are 40 species named as dolphins.
Dolphins range in size from the 1.7-metre-long long Maui’s dolphin to the 9.5 m killer whale.
They have streamlined bodies and two limbs that are modified into flippers. Some dolphins can travel at speeds 29 km/h for short distances. Dolphins use their conical shaped teeth to capture fast moving prey.
Although dolphins are widespread, most species prefer the warmer waters of the tropics, but some, like the right whale dolphin, prefer colder climates. Dolphins feed largely on fish and squid, but some like the killer whale feed on mammals like seals. Male dolphins typically mate with multiple females every year, but females only mate every two to three years. Calves are typically born in the spring and summer and females bear all the responsibility for raising them.
Dolphins produce a variety of vocalizations, usually in the form of clicks and whistles.
Dolphin facts
Dolphins, porpoises, and whales are all mammals called cetaceans.
There are around 40 different species of dolphins.
Five species live in rivers.
Dolphins range in size from 5.6 feet to 31 feet.
Dolphins weigh between 50 kilograms and 10 tonnes.
The average life expectancy of a dolphin is 25 years.
Among the different species of dolphins, life spans range between 12 and 80 years.
The blowhole is a nose that has moved to the top of the dolphin’s head.
The orca is the largest member of the dolphin family.
Dolphins can dive up to 900 feet.
Dolphins sleep eight hours per day.
Dolphins have the longest memory in the animal kingdom.
A dolphin can kill a shark using its nose.
Dolphins swallow food without chewing it.
The rarest dolphin is the Māui dolphin.
The narwhal dolphin has a large ivory tusk.
Dolphins are piscivores and eat around 15.8 kilograms of fish every day.
Dolphins live in a group called pods.
Large pods can have 1000 members or more.
Dolphins have 2 stomachs.
Just one-half of a dolphin’s brain goes to sleep at a time.
One is for storing food and the other one for digestion.
The most popular and common dolphins are the bottlenose dolphins.
Dolphins don’t drink water because they get it from the food they eat.
Scientists discovered that dolphins can recognize themselves in the mirror.
Dolphins use sonar for navigating through the water.
Dolphins have no sense of smell.
Dolphins typically resurface to breathe up to 5 times per minute.
Dolphins can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes.
Dolphins are not monogamous.
Baby dolphins are always born tail-first so that they do not drown.
Male dolphins swim around the mother during delivery in order to protect her.
Female dolphins carry their calves for between 11 and 18 months.
Dolphins can actually look behind them without turning their heads.
Dolphins communicate through whistles, clicks, and other nonverbal forms of communication.
A dolphin can make about 700 clicking sounds per second.
Dolphins call out to each other by their names.
A dolphin can travel up to 60 miles in a day.
Dolphins usually swim at between 3 and 8 miles per hour.
They can reach speeds of 20 miles per hour.
Some of them can leap over 20 feet in the air.
Dolphins are trained by military forces.
A group of dolphins is named a “school”.
Female dolphins are known as “cows” .
male dolphins are known as “bulls”.
Juveniles are known as “calves”.
Dolphins have a sense of taste and can distinguish between sweet, sour, bitter, and salty tastes.
