Dolphin Facts
What are dolphins like?
Dolphins are fun-loving and clever animals who live in the sea and rivers. They have a friendly nature and like to play games, swim in groups, and jump high out of the water. Dolphins use special sounds like clicks and whistles to talk to each other and to find their way around.
Dolphins are very smart and can use tools, solve problems, and teach one another new skills. Dolphins have even been known to help humans who are in distress by guiding lost swimmers to safety or helping them escape dangerous situations.
Where do dolphins live?
The 40+ species of dolphins inhabit waters all over the world. Dolphins can live in both cold and warm waters, but they cannot survive in the freezing waters of the Arctic. Dolphins also do not live in landlocked lakes or bodies of freshwater that are not connected to oceans or rivers. The map shows where dolphins naturally live.
What problems do dolphins face?
Unfortunately, many dolphins are taken from the wild and separated from their families to live in unnatural environments, such as amusement parks. Many others are bred in captivity to keep parks and attractions full of new animals. In these places, dolphins are often forced to perform tricks and spend their lives in shallow tanks that are much smaller than their natural ocean homes.
This captivity can lead to health problems and even early death for the dolphins. While dolphins’ natural facial structure might make them look like they’re always smiling, they are not truly happy when they are kept in captivity and deprived of their natural life in the wild. Additionally, some dolphin species are endangered making it even more important to protect them and their natural habitats.
How can you help give dolphins a better life?
Some people swim with dolphins when they go on vacation, but this is very stressful for dolphins and unsafe for people. You can choose not to swim with dolphins and instead view them in the ocean from a safe distance. You can also skip visiting amusement parks that keep dolphins in captivity, and, with your parent or guardian, learn how to be a wildlife-friendly traveler.
