More About Dolphins

Dolphins aren’t just beautiful—they’re also some of the most intelligent animals on the planet. (Did you know they have the ability to learn and pass their knowledge on to other dolphins?) Here are ten more facts that might surprise you:

1. There are more than forty dolphin species in the world (although some are extinct). Most are in the ocean, but seven species live in rivers.
2. Dolphins are part of the family of whales that includes orcas—also known as killer whales. In fact, the biggest dolphin in the world is the killer whale!
3. In the wild, dolphins can live at least forty years. (Orcas can live at least seventy years!) However, dolphins kept in captivity don’t live nearly as long.
4. Dolphins are highly social animals—they live and travel in groups called pods. Pods can have anywhere from two to thirty members, although superpods of up to a thousand dolphins can form in areas rich with food.
5. A dolphin calf will stay with its mother for up to eight years.
6. Dolphins are carnivores—they survive on a diet of fish, squid, shrimp, jellyfish, and octopus.
7. All dolphins have teeth, but they don’t chew their food like humans do. Instead, they grab, bite, and swallow.
8. Dolphins use a complex system of sounds—including clicks, squeaks, and whistles—to communicate.
9. Dolphins use echolocation to hunt. They send out sounds and listen to the echo, which tells them exactly what’s around them and where their prey is.
10. The United States Navy has trained and used bottlenose dolphins since 1960, when they first studied Notty, a female Pacific white-sided dolphin. Dolphins are still used for tasks including locating underwater mines and enemy swimmers.