Dolphins

DOLPHINS

Dolphins

This report is about dolphins. It also has information on Bottlenose dolphins.

Dolphins are mammals. Bottlenose dolphins are gray/silver on the back and white on the belly. Their skin is smooth and firm. They breathe through their blowholes. They are extremely intelligent and highly sociable. Bottlenose dolphins have pretty big brains. These dolphins live in the oceans.

Bottlenose dolphins can weigh up to 440 pounds and grow to up to 12 feet. Bottlenose dolphins are carnivores. There are 30 kinds of dolphins. There are 25 kinds of saltwater dolphins and 5 kinds of freshwater dolphins. There are 6 kinds of porpoises and 6 that are also called whales. Dolphins are like small whales and have no gills.

Dolphins are found in most waters of the world. Bottlenose dolphins live in temperate and tropical waters. There are dolphins that live in rivers. They are usually very light in color. Dolphins live in groups called pods.

Dolphins eat fish, squid, shrimp and crabs. Their small, sharp teeth make it easy to catch its' prey. Dolphins might eat alone or in a pod. Dolphins will use echolocation to find its' prey. Dolphin offspring/babies are called calves. The calves drink their mother's milk. In order to catch a large amount of food, for example a school of fish, several dolphins in a group will herd the fish into smaller and smaller circles. The other dolphins take turns going into the school of fish and eating them.

Dolphins are eaten by sharks, people, and killer whales, also known as orcas. Dolphins also get hurt by sharp propellers hitting them and oil spills. If they get beached on a shore and do not get back in the water in time they will die. If there is danger, the dolphins will make a circle around the calves