If your child was like me growing up, they can’t get enough of these marine mammals! As one of the most intelligent creatures roaming the seas, dolphins have long been an animal that has captured the imagination and the hearts of many. Here are some fun facts to impress your kids (which by the law of ‘trickle down dolphin facts’ will allow them to impress all their friends!).
Where Can They Be Found?
Dolphins are found worldwide, mostly in shallow seas of the continental shelves (the extended edges of continents under water), and eat mostly other fish and squid. Since there are so many different species of dolphins in such a large area, it’s difficult to determine just how many are out there. So let’s just say there are lots!
What Are They Like?
One of the most well-known aspects of dolphin life is their playful demeanor and agility. Many species will leap out of the water and “spy-hop” (jump out of the water to view their surroundings). They have even been known to follow ships, which some scientists believe is a clever method to conserve energy. Dolphins live in social groups of anywhere from 5 to several hundred, making for easy meals when they use their echolocation technique of bouncing sounds off objects and listening for echoes to locate their prey. They’ll surround schools of fish and take turns swooping in for a snack. Dolphins have also been known to follow whales, seabirds, and even fishing boats to opportunistically find food.
How Big Do They Get?
The smallest known species of Dolphin, the Maui Dolphin, is around 4 feet long while the largest species is the Orca, or Killer Whale, which can grow to 25 feet and 19,000 pounds! They lead long, productive lives under the sea, too. The Bottlenose Dolphin can live up to 40 years and Orcas have been known to live as long as 80 years!
There you have it: A concise guide to dolphins that will have your little one begging for a trip to the aquarium! Go ahead, make a day out of it and take some pictures while you’re at it! You won’t be disappointed and neither will she!
