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Dolphins
Dolphins are highly intelligent marine
mammals that live in water but breathe through
a blowhole on the top of their head. They are
remarkable creatures that have developed a
form of sonar called echolocation to hunt and
prey. They are very friendly and playful. Below
are some interesting facts about dolphins.
Dolphins are marine mammals that
are closely related to whales and
porpoises.
Dolphins are part of the family of
toothed whales that includes orcas and
pilot whales. They are mammals and
breathe through a blowhole on the top of
their head.
They vary in size from 4 feet (1.2 meters) and 90 pounds (40
kilograms) for Maui’s Dolphin and up to 30 feet (9.5 meters) and 10 tons for
Orca or Killer Whale.
There are almost forty species of dolphin, and they are found
worldwide, mostly in the shallow waters along the continental shelves. Five
species live in the river.
Dolphins are carnivores,
mostly eating fish and squid.
Dolphins live in social groups of
five to several hundred. They use
echolocation to find prey and
often hunt together by
surrounding a school of fish,
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trapping them and taking turns swimming through the school and catching
fish.
Dolphins will also follow seabirds, other whales and fishing boats to
feed on the fish the birds scare to the surface or discard.
Dolphins are considered to be amongst the most intelligent of animals.
They are friendly and extremely playful. They are also easy to train. These
qualities have made them a favorite of many people.
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Scientists believe that dolphins conserve
energy by swimming alongside ships, a practice
known as bow-riding.
Dolphin vary in color, but they are generally
gray with darker backs than the rest of their bodies.
Most dolphin species have a long lifespan. It
is estimated that some may have lived for more than 100 years.
Dolphins mate throughout the year. Gestation lasts from 9 to 17
months depending on the species. They usually have only one baby. When it
is time to give birth, the female will distance herself from the pod, often
going near the surface of the water. As
soon as the calf is born, the mother must
quickly take it to the surface so it can
take its first breath. The calf will nurse
from 11 months to 2 years, and after it is
done nursing it will still stay with its
mother until it is between 3 and 8 years
old.
Dolphins are at risk because the oceans are being polluted. They are
also losing their habitats and many countries still allow dolphins to be
hunted. Fishing nets also pose a problem for the dolphin population as does
the increase in boating traffic.
Answer the questions:
1. Write True (T) or False (F):
a. A dolphin is a type of fish. ………..
b. Most dolphin have long lifespan. ………..
c. Dolphins are herbivores. ………..
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d. Dolphins can only be found in the ocean. ………..
e. Dolphins eat people. ………..
f. Dolphins mate throughout the year. ………..
g. Dolphins usually have dozens of babies
at once. ………..
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h. Dolphins are playful. ………..
i. Dolphins are blue in color. ………..
j. Dolphins are at risk because the oceans are
being polluted now. ………..
2. Circle the synonyms of the underlined words.
a. Dolphins are highly intelligent marine mamals.
Smart stupid complicated extraordinary
b. They breath through the blowhole on the top of their
head.
Dive die dice respire
c. They are remarkable creatures that have developed
echolocation to hunt prey.
Amazing helpful disgusting bad
d. Dolphins are friendly and playful.
Painful careful helpful approachable
e. They are also easy to train.
Study learn instruct follow
3. Fill in the blank with the correct answers:
a. The habitat of the dolphins is: …………………..
b. The “baby dolphin” is called: …………………..
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c. How many species of dolphins? …………………..
d. Do you like dolphins or blue whales? Why?
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Animal 1: Dolphin
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Animal 2: Blue whale
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Dolphin Vs. Blue whale
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