1. 4.Dolphins & Porpoises 1

2. Dolphins and porpoises are toothed whales 2 They have streamlined bodies and powerful tails that help them to move easily through the water

3. Like other whales, dolphins and porpoises have a layer of blubber that keeps them warm 3 Hourglass dolphins

4. Dolphins and porpoises are alike in many ways 4 The main differences in these two mammals is the shape of their snouts and teeth (like gators and crocs!) Dall’s Porpoise

5. Dolphins have beaklike snouts and cone-shaped teeth 5 Porpoises have rounded snouts and flat teeth

6. Common dolphins grow to be about 7 feet long 6 They have black backs, gray sides, and white bellies

7. Common dolphins live in warm waters and often follow ships for miles 7

8. Bottle-nosed dolphins are the most familiar dolphins 8 They may grow to be 12 feet long and are gray in color

9. Bottle-nosed dolphins are very social and seem to be very friendly toward people 9

10. Killer whales are the largest kind of dolphin 10 They grow to be 30 feet long

11. Killer whales travel in pods and are often found in colder northern waters 11 Along the coast of Alaska is a great place to find the killer whale in the summer

12. Porpoises are smaller than dolphins and can grow to about 6 feet long 12 Common porpoises have black backs and white bellies

13. Unlike dolphins, porpoises avoid people and often travel alone 13 Dolphins and porpoises are very intelligent animals

14. They communicate with each other by making chirping sounds 14 Many dolphins and porpoises live in groups that play and hunt for food together

15. Dolphins and porpoises help members in their group that are in trouble 15 They have also been known to help people in trouble in the waters