Dolphin
Dolphins are highly intelligent marine mammals and are part of the family of toothed whales that includes orcas and pilot whales. They are found worldwide, mostly in shallow seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. Dolphin coloration varies, but they are generally gray in color with darker backs than the rest of their bodies.
Size
Because the forty species of dolphins are so diverse, they range in size. The smallest of the dolphin species, Maui's Dolphin, is around 4 feet (1.2m) long and weighs around 90 lbs (40 kg). The largest dolphin species is the orca, or killer whale. Male orcas grow to about 25 feet in length and weigh about 19,000 pounds.
There are 40 currently known species of dolphins around the world.
Most dolphins live long lives. The bottlenose dolphin can live over 40 years, and the orca can live to be 70 or 80!
Facts about Dolphins
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Compared to other animals, dolphins are believed to be very intelligent.
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Bottlenose dolphins are the most common and well known type of dolphin
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Female dolphins are called cows, males are called bulls and young dolphins are called calves
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Dolphins live in schools or pods of up to 12 individuals.
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Dolphins communicate with each other by clicking, whistling and other sounds.
