All About Dolphins By: Christy Thomas

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Objectives Today we will learn the distinguishing characteristics about dolphins. We will learn the behavior of dolphins. We will learn what flippers and flukes are. We will learn about the dolphins habitat. We will find out what dolphins eat.

What are Dolphins? Dolphins are mammals. Dolphins have teeth. They are warm-blooded. They give birth to their young. Dolphins nurse their young. Dolphins have hair – but not very much!

What are flippers and flukes? The front limbs on a dolphin are called FLIPPERS. Dolphins use Flippers for steering. The dolphin’s tail is called its FLUKE. The dolphin uses its flukes for swimming.

Are all dolphins the same color? Dolphin body color can vary. Some are strikingly black and white. Other dolphins are almost solid black. The bottlenose dolphin is usually some shade of gray.

How big do dolphins grow? The biggest dolphin is the killer whale. Killer calves are about 8 feet long at birth and can grow to over 20 feet long. Bottlenose dolphins grow to 8 or 9 feet long.

Where do dolphins live? Dolphins live all over the world – from colder northern and southern waters to warm tropical waters. The bottlenose dolphin prefers warmer water.

What do dolphins eat? Dolphins mostly eat a variety of fish and squid, depending on what part of the ocean they live in. A dolphin’s teeth are not used to chew because they swallow their food whole.

How do dolphins communicate? Dolphins communicate by using sound, vision, touch, and taste. Each dolphin can make a unique signature whistle that help other dolphins recognize each other.

Dolphin Fun! With a partner, use construction paper and a shoebox to make a “dolphin scene”. Provide fish for food. Be sure to give your dolphins flippers and flukes.