Dolphins are mammals, like whales and porpoises which are adapted to living in the sea. They may live in the sea but they have no gills, so they come to the surface for air to provide the oxygen that their bodies need.
Dolphins are social creatures that seem to have a particular affinity with humans. Many people have found swimming with dolphins to be a life-changing experience and this is often used as therapy for very sick children. Even seen from a boat dolphins seem so happy and carefree, their only concern, where the next meal is coming from. There are countless tales of how these aquatic mamals have helped people who would have otherwise drowned.
Dolphin groups called pods often cooperate in hunting. They encircle a large shoal of fish, force the fish into a smaller and smaller group, then take turns to charge through the mass of fish.
They can be found in most non-arctic waters and eat a varied diet that includes fish, squid and shellfish. Fish are swallowed whole, head first so that the bones do not stick in the dolphin’s throat.
Dolphins are warm-blooded. This means that they must eat enough to provide enough fuel for the respiration...