Dolphins – Earth’s most

intelligent animals
Project realized by Manea Alexandra
Teacher – Tulei Angela
Where do dolphins live?
Dolphins live in the world’s seas and oceans and in some rivers too. Some dolphin
species prefer to live in coastal areas, others like shallow water but prefer to live
away from the coast close to patches of shallower water which are located further out
to sea.
Orcas are the only dolphins which live in the Arctic and Antarctic. 
Socialization
Dolphins are highly social animals, often living in pods of up to a dozen individuals.
They establish strong social bonds, and will stay with injured or ill members, helping
them to breathe by bringing them to the surface if needed.
Dolphins communicate using a variety of clicks, whistle-like sounds and other
vocalizations. Dolphins also use nonverbal communication by means of touch
and posturing.
Jumping and playing
Dolphins frequently leap above the water surface, this being done for various
reasons. When travelling, jumping can save the dolphin energy as there is less
friction while in the air. Dolphins show various types of playful behavior, often
including objects, self-made bubble rings, other dolphins or other animals. When
playing with objects or small animals, common behavior includes carrying the object
or animal along using various parts of the body, passing it along to other members of
the group or taking it from another member, or throwing it out of the water.
Intelligence
Dolphins are known to teach, learn, cooperate, scheme, and grieve. They are not only
the friendliest or caring creatures but also the most intelligent ones. It is believed by
scientists that comparing the ratio size of brain to body, dolphins take the 2nd place
right after the humans!
Which is the biggest dolphin?
The biggest member of the dolphin family is the orca (killer whale).
Killer whales are notable for their complex societies. Only elephants and higher
primates live in comparably complex social structures. Due to orcas' complex social
bonds, many marine experts have concerns about how humane it is to keep them in
captivity.
Some interesting facts about dolphins
oDolphins never chew their food, they swallow it as a whole. Their teeth are used
only to catch their prey.
oIt has been proved by scientists that dolphins give themselves names. They develop
their own individual whistles and they recognize theirs and other dolphins’ names.
oDolphins have very delicate skin, getting injured at the slightest touch of hard
surface. However, due to their fast healing attribute, even the deepest of wounds can
be healed within a short time.
oLifespan varies from around 20 years in the smaller dolphin species to
80 years or more for larger dolphins such as orcas.
oA dolphin pregnancy last between nine and 16 months. The mother
feeds her offspring on milk. The sons and daughters of resident orcas
stay with their maternal family for life.
Grindadráp
The locals call it "grindadráp" - a brutal hunt in which they are trapped in a bay and
slaughtered.
But in this year, it was different.
More than 1,400 dolphins were pushed to the beach and massacred one by one.
Terrified dolphins were hit, while pregnant mothers and little dolphins were killed
next to them. Many of them suffocated on the sand.
Dolphins are one of the most intelligent species on Earth. They have memories and
are called by name. They understand the joy ... and the pain. Imagine the horror they
felt in that bloody bay.
These brutal hunters must end.
More than half of the islanders want dolphin hunting to stop, and after a huge wave
of public outrage, the Faroese prime minister has pledged to revise hunting
regulations, but now there is a real danger that this review to be superficial.