1. This is called echolocation. It is impossible for us to know what a dolphin is really thinking. Then, colour your dolphin in a grey colour. Dolphins do not use their teeth to chew, instead they use their teeth to catch their food and then they swallow it whole. It is true that they are mammals, but dolphins only have hair when they are first born. The tail is referred to as the fluke. They can be found in oceans all over the world. Many zoos, aquariums and waterparks keep dolphins and train them to perform in shows. However, dolphins … Dolphins are often thought of as one of the world’s most intelligent animals. One way of telling the difference between a cetacean and a fish is by looking at their tails. Learn about: dolphin biology | dolphin living | dolphin species | dolphin communication and intelligence | Dolphins & humans | Further Reading & Get Involved | Contact | Blog | Index Providing Sanctuary and a Forever Home since 1984. Dolphins are amazing marine mammals capable of performing amazing acrobatics and are known for their friendly, often inviting behavior. Instead dolphins get all the fresh water from the fish they eat! Dolphins use squeaks and whistles to call to each other. Have you seen a dolphin in real life? They can reach swimming speeds of up to 22 miles (35 kilometres) an hour Dolphins are beautiful creatures, and people of all ages love them. A dolphin is an aquatic mammal. A dolphin’s body is designed to help them move quickly and easily through water. Maui's dolphin is the most endangered dolphin. Dolphins are highly intelligent marine mammals that live in water but breathe through a blowhole on the top of their head. Absolutely! On its back is a curved dorsal fin and on each side of the dolphin is a pectoral fin. Use the facts in the article to help you. There are many groups around the world that are dedicated to protecting wild dolphins by reducing hunting and pollution. Dolphins do not drink water like humans. Male dolphins are called “bulls”, females are called “cows” and the young dolphins are called “calves”. Anatomy of a dolphin. Instead dolphins get all the fresh water from the fish they eat! Dolphins do not use their teeth to chew, instead they use their teeth to catch their food and then they swallow it whole. There are currently 42 species of dolphins and seven species of porpoises. Dolphin facts! If you have seen a dolphin in real life, it was probably in captivity. The Killer Whale (also known as Orca) is actually a type of dolphin. They can reach swimming speeds of up to 22 miles (35 kilometres) an hour. They breathe through a blowhole and have to come up for air every 15 minutes. The mother feeds her offspring on milk. Copyright © 2020 ActiveWild.com. Also check out the many dolphin tours we offer here at Vallarta Adventures today! If more people know about dolphins, there will be more awareness of their threats. The dolphin’s fluke propels it through the water. How much do you really know about dolphins? 1) Bottlenose dolphins are marine mammals that live in tropical and temperate oceans (oceans with mild temperatures) around the world. Bottlenose dolphins have 72-104 teeth. Bottlenose dolphins have 72-104 teeth. They sometimes live in captivity, in zoos, aquariums or water parks. Dolphins typically eat fish, but also eat other marine animals, including squid. It is a very useful way for dolphins to find food and navigate. Which is the biggest dolphin? Dolphins can dive as deep as 3000 feet (915 metres). Dolphins are aquatic mammals that belong to the infraorder “Cetacea” a group of animals that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. What do you think? A dolphin pregnancy last between nine and 16 months. It falls out shortly after they are born. The biggest dolphin is the orca.Even though it is sometimes called a killer whale, it is in fact a member of the dolphin family. They like to live in warm, tropical water such as the Indian Ocean but dolphins can even be found in the seas around Scotland! We hope that you have enjoyed these facts about dolphins for kids. Dolphins are extremely intelligent and sociable animals, and have their own way to communicate with each other using special sounds. https://patreon.com/freeschool - Help support more content like this!Despite living in the ocean (although some live in rivers!) Dolphin eyes are specially designed to see above and below the water. Read on for fun and interesting Dolphin Facts for Kids that your children can enjoy learning. Dolphins are highly intelligent marine mammals and are part of the family of toothed whales that includes orcas and pilot whales. Dolphins communicate with each other through clicks, squeaks and whistles. The only known mammal to have their young born tail first, is the dolphin. Information regarding current population levels and trends remains elusive for many dolphin species. Pretend that you are a scientist who is studying wild dolphins. They measure around 6-12 feet (2-4 metres) long and can weigh anywhere between 300 and 1400 pounds (135 – 650 kg). Click on the photo below to discover this week’s animal! Dolphins are warm blooded, just like humans. Studies show that dolphins can see in shades of grey, as well as the blue-green spectrum. The biggest threat to the dolphin population is fishing. River dolphins can be found in locations such as the Ganges River and the Amazon River. The most common type of dolphin is the bottlenose dolphin, which has the scientific name Tursiops. Don’t forget to include the tail and fins. The phrase dolphin is Greek, which is interpreted as fish with a womb. Human pollution is another big threat to dolphins. There are over 40 different species of dolphins in the world. This may in turn help raise awareness of dolphin conservation efforts. Part of their brain always stays awake so they can breathe. (It’s completely free, you can unsubscribe at any time, and we’ll never share your details.). Perhaps you are lucky enough to have seen them in the wild. A not-for-profit 501(c)3 marine mammal education and research facility for 35 years. Dolphins are small-toothed cetaceans easily recognizable by their curved mouths, which give them a permanent “smile.” There are 36 dolphin species, found in every ocean. They only get one set of teeth for life! Most dolphins are marine mammals – this means that they live in the sea. Fish have vertical tails which move from side to side. You can tell a cetacean because their tail fins (called flukes) are horizontal, and move up and down. We have a collection of activities to share with you to add to your ocean animal unit study including a free printable … Dolphins have a playful and friendly nature, which makes them very popular with humans. Draw a dolphin. Kids love dolphins and for a good reason. In some countries, dolphins are even illegally hunted as a source of food. Dolphins usually stick to shallow areas of water found along coastlines and continental shelves. Some species of dolphins are becoming endangered because of human behaviour. Read on for more facts about dolphins for kids (and adults) …. Now that you’ve learned everything there is to know about these amazing creatures, try these fun activities: News and facts about animals, natural history and science. Do dolphins drink water? Male dolphins are larger than females. Dolphins are mammals just like we are. They only get one set of teeth for life! Using their echolocation skills, dolphins usually work together in their pods to find fish. They usually live in groups of around 10 – 12 members. Watch the video below to see how a dolphin swims. Dolphins are marine mammals. ' Dolphins for Kids ' - Interesting facts about dolphins for kids. There are about 43 species of dolphins around the world, with 38 of them are dolphins living in the sea and 5 other species are river dolphins … Dolphins are very sociable and like to spend time together. Dolphin Facts for Kids Dolphins are mammals; this means that they nurse their babies with milk from the mothers. The female members of the family are called cows, the males are called bulls and young dolphins are known as calves. Pods help dolphins to form bonds and protect each other. A dolphin calf stays with its mother until it is between 3 and 8 years old. Watch video footage of beautiful dolphins in the wild.. This is an animal learning video you will not want to miss! They often leap out of the water, ride waves and pop their heads above the surface to look around (this is known as spy-hopping). Dolphins look like big fishes , but they are actually mammals . What did you see? Dolphins can swim up to 260 m. below the surface of the ocean. Perhaps with these great facts, you will have more knowledge than you did before. They live off fish, squid and crustaceans that they find in the sea. Dolphins have the ability to use echolocation, which is a sophisticated biological sonar system.To echolocate, dolphins produce high-frequency clicks which are projected out of their melon (forehead area).Since sound travels faster underwater than is does in air, these clicks travel very fast to a targeted area, bounce off objects and animals in that targeted area and return back to the dolphin. Recently we had a workshop with kids that was all about dolphins where kids were able to learn all kinds of things about this aquatic mammal as well as ask questions about it. ActiveWild.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon stores. There are many kinds of dolphins. All Rights Reserved. 12 Pink Dolphin Facts . Facts about Dolphins. Whilst sleeping, only half of a dolphin’s brain switches off. Although they have teeth, dolphins usually swallow their food whole. Echolocation works when a dolphin bounces a high pitched sound off an object and then listens for the echo to come back. These groups are called pods. This is one of the fun dolphin facts for kids of a certain age, especially children who like dinosaurs, such as the T-Rex. When it comes to learning about dolphins kids ask all types of questions about them. Dolphin camp, riddles, puzzles and dolphin facts. Facts About Dolphins. There are also some species of dolphins that live in rivers. Dolphins can be found all over the world and in different environments There are 36 species of marine dolphins - living in nearly all aquatic environments, including oceans, coastal, estuarine and freshwater - and in temperatures ranging from less than 0°C to more than 30°C. They have been spotted chasing each other and tossing around objects such as seaweed. Compared to other animals, dolphins are believed to be very intelligent. Click the picture above for more details & to view free sample pages! Dolphins can't breathe water like fish, but need to come to the surface to breath air. Dolphins are also very playful creatures. Like bats, dolphins use echolocation to find food and objects. This lesson will teach you some interesting facts about this animal, like where they live and what they eat. Nine-Banded Armadillo Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information, List of Dinosaurs – Dinosaur Names with Pictures, American Crocodile Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information, North American Porcupine Facts: Discover North America’s Second-Largest Rodent, North American Bird ID Quiz App For Android: Available Now From The Play Store, Bighorn Sheep Facts: Discover The Largest Sheep Native To North America. Dolphins do not grow any other hair for the rest of their lives. Dolphins have an array of vocalisations such as clicks, whistles and squeals which they use for their well-developed communication and echolocation skills. Dolphins don’t need to drink to stay alive. Dolphins do not drink water like humans. Dolphins are part of the toothed whales.Generally, they are among the smaller whales.Most live in salt water oceans, but some live in rivers – there are oceanic dolphins and river dolphins.Dolphins are from 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) to 4 metres (13 ft) long, but the largest dolphin, the killer whale (or orca), can be up to 8 metres (26 ft) long.. All dolphins live in groups called "pods". Active Wild Pinterest Active Wild Facebook. Dolphins are carnivores (meat eaters). Dolphins breathe air, give birth to live young, nurse their babies with milk, have hair at some point in their life, and are warm blooded, Public Dolphin Interactive Program Assistance, Marine Mammal Care & Basic Training Course, Cognitive & Behavioral Marine Mammal Research Course, Advanced Marine Mammal Training & Enrichment Course, Program Reservations Phone: +1 (305) 289-0002, General Information Email: drc@dolphins.org. Dolphin coloration varies, but they are generally gray in color with darker backs than the rest of their bodies. However, many people think that dolphins should not be kept in captivity, and argue that an intelligent animal would prefer life in the wild and should not be contained in a small area. To see underwater they produce an oily substance to protect their eyes. No. Dolphins use a type of sonar to detect where objects are around them. Join the thousands of Active Wild subscribers who receive free wildlife and science news & info direct to their inboxes! Dolphin Facts for Kids Dolphins never fully fall asleep. Waste and chemicals poured into the ocean can make dolphins sick and reduce their ability to fight infections and diseases. Dolphins kept in captivity for this purpose are usually treated very well, and seem to enjoy entertaining people. The largest member of the dolphin family is the orca, also known as the killer whale. They belong to a large group of animals called whales . They have bigger brains than humans. There are few better sights in nature than a group of dolphins swimming in the sea! Find out more about how we can help to protect dolphins in the wild. Learning about dolphins is a great a start. They are members of the Cetacea (pronounced set-ay-shia) family, which also contains whales and porpoises. What are dolphins? Write a journal of your day following a dolphin pod. Top ten facts about dolphins. Dolphins are a diverse group of marine mammals of the Delphinidae, Platanistidae, Iniidae, and Pontoporiidae families. What did they do? They are remarkable creatures that have developed a form of sonar called echolocation to hunt and prey. Is it right to keep dolphins in captivity? We have read a lot about these freshwater dolphins (they are also called Amazon River dolphins), so we collected the most interesting facts about the pink dolphins for you! The bottlenose dolphin gets its name from its short and stubby beak. They use these special sounds to greet each other and to indicate if they are in distress. The other half stays awake to help them breathe and prevent them from drowning. Dolphins are carnivores. Both sides have valid arguments and there is no real right or wrong answer. Although they are often mistaken for fish, dolphins are actually mammals. Look at how we can reduce pollution and buy dolphin friendly products. Dolphin is a common name of aquatic mammals within the infraorder Cetacea.The term dolphin usually refers to the extant families Delphinidae (the oceanic dolphins), Platanistidae (the Indian river dolphins), Iniidae (the New World river dolphins), and Pontoporiidae (the brackish dolphins), and the extinct Lipotidae (baiji or Chinese river dolphin). Dolphins are some of the most playful and intelligent animals on our planet. Learn all about dolphins with these dolphin facts for kids! Below are some interesting facts about dolphins. In a normal day, a dolphin will eat up to 30 pounds of food! Calves stay alongside their mothers up to 3 years and sometimes up to 8 years. Interesting Dolphins Facts – Dolphins are marine mammals with very high intelligence and have a complex natural system in their bodies. Kids can learn about manatees, dolphins, sea lions, and marine mammals. Dolphins are closely related to porpoises . Dolphins live in the sea, but they can’t breathe under water! Lifespan varies from around 20 years in the smaller dolphin species to 80 years or more for larger dolphins such as orcas. They are found worldwide, mostly in shallow seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. This includes marine dolphins that live in the sea as well as river dolphins. They must surface to breathe air and give birth to live young. Even though dolphins spend their lives in the water, they are not fish, but are mammals. Many people who would otherwise never have seen a dolphin are able to get close to them and learn more about them. Wild dolphins live for at least 40 years. There is much more to them than just being smart and great swimmers! Follow the link below to find out more and to sign up! Nets from fishing boats are very dangerous to dolphins because they can get accidentally caught up in them and drown. Dolphins can stay up to 15 minutes under water, but they cannot breath under the water. This includes the waters off the UK and Ireland, where you can spot them swimming and playing in bays and river estuaries! As cute as dolphins are, just like the T-Rex, they only eat meat. Dolphins have a thick layer of fat called blubber beneath their skin to keep warm. Conservation status. Although they may seem to be enjoying performing, we don’t know what the effect of being in captivity really has on a dolphin. Yes and no. They trap large groups of fish and take turns to hunt and eat as many as they can. This hair is found on the top of the rostrum. Dolphins use echolocation to find food and navigate. Bottlenose dolphins are the most common and well known type of dolphin. The bump on a dolphins head is known as the melon. The fish that they eat contain enough water to keep them hydrated. 15 Dolphin Facts for Kids A dolphin is an aquatic mammal that is a member of the Cetacea infraorder. Learning About Dolphins: Activities for Kids and Free Printable - Children can learn about one of the most playful swimmers in the ocean, dolphins. There are 40 extant species named as dolphins. The largest sweetwater dolphins. Because dolphins and porpoises look so much alike, people often confuse the two. 10 facts about dolphins for kids Dolphins can dive as deep as 3000 feet (915 metres). They are very friendly and playful. The Amazon River Dolphins are the largest and most widespread freshwater dolphins in the World. 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