information about dolphins for kids

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

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