Dolphins are a popular name for marine mammals in the family Cetacea, which includes whales, walruses, porpoises, and others. The scientific name for this group is Delphinidae. In addition to these three groups, there are many extinct species that have been called dolphins, including a large group known as Pangolin Dolphins.
The following interesting facts about dolphins are listed below. The name dolphin has long been used to refer to the living members of the suborder Cetus (order Squamata).
This group of mammals is found on all continents except Antarctica and on every ocean floor. The group contains more than 40 extant species, all belonging to at least one family.
Dolphins are mammals whose skin is covered with soft skin, called a tunic elastica, with an outer coating of skin called a callus. This outer layer protects them from predators, which is the reason why they swim with their skin down. Dolphins also have a unique ability to hold their breath for extended periods of time.
Their eyes are located on the top of the head and are adapted for high-speed vision. A dorsal fin, found on their backs, helps them to propel themselves forward, while its tail aids in balancing and turning. These fun dolphin facts might surprise you.

Young animals in the family Delphinidae (which include whales) do not have lungs. The air they breathe is forced through their gills, which are covered in a thin sheath of soft skin. A siphon-like organ, called the uvula, is located between the nostrils and allows the animal to breathe.
Dolphins come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They can be very small, measuring only a few feet in length, or they can be as long as a passenger plane. The largest of the group, the blue whale, can reach a length of more than thirty miles and weigh upwards of five hundred tons.
In contrast, a bottlenose dolphin, the smallest member of the group, can measure a little more than fourteen feet in length, weighing less than twenty-five pounds.
Like most groups of mammals, dolphins have some social and reproductive functions. There are usually one dominant male and several females. There is a gestation period of about two months, during which the mother gives birth to between one and nine calf sperms. The female will give birth to one calf per year.
The lifespan of a dolphin is about ten to fifteen years, depending on what species you ask. There is no known maximum age for a dolphin. It depends on the species and on factors such as the size and weight of the animal, but many believe that the age of death of a dolphin can be much older than fifteen years.
A bottlenose dolphin, for example, can live up to sixty years. Dolphins will eat both squid and fish, although their primary diet is made up of squid. There are more than four hundred species of marine animals, with around thirty-four to forty percent of those species inhabiting warm waters around the world.
Each species of dolphin has a different social structure, though the most widely dispersed group, the southern ones, occur in a single population. Males will gather around a female to mate, which leads to the formation of a matriarchal community.
These communities tend to be located near the surface of the water, where they feed, swim, hide, interact with one another, and raise calves. Subordinate group members are often kept by the dominant male and mate with his own female. The females then carry the babies to a deeper area of the ocean, where they nurse.
At some point, the baby dolphin is separated from its mother and will swim out into the open ocean. Some species will remain close to their mother for up to seven years. Other dolphins, however, will go further afield and swim far from the mother and even spend extended periods of time in the open sea, where they can dive again.
Dolphin has a unique sense of sight and hearing, which allows them to see both land and underwater objects. Some species use the sense of smell to locate food, while others locate fish and other kinds of marine life. They have a unique sense of balance and equilibrium and are able to stand upright and walk.
Many species have a variety of songs, including the call of a humpback whale and the whistle of a killer whale. These sounds are often used as a form of communication among pod mates.
As you can see, there are many unique features to a dolphin. It is fascinating to learn about this wonderful animal and the amazing stories behind the lives of these amazing animals. Dolphins are amazing creatures that can be very fun to watch. If you want to learn more, check out these interesting facts about dolphins.