What is a Dolphin?
Dolphins live in the ocean, but they are a little different from fish. This section helps you discover what makes a dolphin a dolphin, from how they breathe to their family tree!
Are they Fish or Mammals?
They live in the water and are great swimmers, but they have a special secret. What do you think they are?
A Nose on Top!
Dolphins breathe air through a special hole on top of their head called a blowhole. They come to the surface of the water, WHOOSH, take a breath, and dive back down!
A Big Ocean Family
There are over 40 kinds of dolphins in the world! They are part of a family called 'cetaceans,' which means they are cousins with whales and porpoises.
Awesome Ocean Athletes
Dolphins are built for speed and have a big appetite. In this section, explore how big they can get, how fast they swim, and what they love to eat for lunch.
Big and Small Dolphins!
Some dolphins are tiny, while others are HUGE! The biggest dolphin is the Orca (or Killer Whale). Here's how they compare.
Super Speedy!
Their sleek, torpedo-shaped bodies help them zoom through the water. They can swim up to 20 miles per hour. That's faster than a person can run!
What's for Lunch? 🍤
Dolphins are carnivores, which means they eat other animals. They aren't picky eaters!
Fish
Squid
Crustaceans
Brainy and Chatty
Dolphins are one of the smartest animals in the ocean! Discover their secret codes, their special superpower for seeing with sound, and how they sleep in a very clever way.
Seeing with Sound!
Dolphins use a superpower called echolocation to find food and swim around in the dark. It's like a built-in sonar!
Click the button to send out a sound!
Signature Whistles
Every dolphin has its own unique whistle, just like how you have a name! They use it to call out to each other. They say "Hi, it's me!"
Sleeping with One Eye Open
So clever! Dolphins sleep by resting only half of their brain at a time. The other half stays awake to watch for danger and to remember to go up for air.
Friends, Family, and Fun!
Dolphins love to hang out with their friends and family. This section is all about their social lives, how they communicate, and their favorite games to play in the big blue ocean.
Living in Pods
Dolphins are very social and live in family groups called pods. They hunt, play, and travel together, always looking out for one another.
Lots to Talk About!
They "talk" to each other using a mix of clicks, whistles, and body language like jumping and tail-slapping. They are very chatty!
Time to Play!
Dolphins are super playful! They love to leap high out of the water, do flips, surf in the waves, and even play tag with seaweed. Life in the ocean is full of fun!