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Power naps -

Dolphins are unable to breathe under water, so how do they sleep without drowning? They take 15-20-minute naps!

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Power naps -

However, dolphins do not fully fall asleep. Instead, they simply rest one side of their brain, allowing them to continue swimming, breathing, and remain aware of potential threats.

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Pregnancy and motherhood -

The gestation period of pregnancies varies between nine and 17 months, resulting in the birth of a single calf in most cases. 

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Calves -

Calves are nurtured for one to two years, and typically remain in the company of their mothers for an additional one to seven years.

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Their skin regenerates quickly -

Dolphins possess the remarkable ability to renew their skin's outer layer within a short span of two hours. This innate trait is believed to aid in diminishing water resistance during their swimming endeavors.

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They're very sociable -

Dolphins form intricate social connections. Researchers have found evidence showing that they form friendships with fellow dolphins. They are similar to humans in that they prefer the company of some dolphins more than others. 

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They use sound to communicate -

Underwater, they use clicks and whistles to communicate with each other. 

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They use sound to communicate -

In addition to their clicks and whistles, dolphins also emit loud burst-pulse sounds. These sounds serve to deter predators. They're also used by female dolphins to reprimand their offspring!

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Their language hasn't been deciphered -

Dolphin vocalizations have been the subject of scientific study for a while, but their language is still a mystery to us. 

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Their language hasn't been deciphered -

Researchers continue to investigate the connection between animal vocalizations and their behavior in ongoing studies.

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Dolphins recognize their "own name" -

Every dolphin possesses its own unique whistle that acts as a name. How fascinating is that?

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Dolphins recognize their "own name" -

Dolphins employ their distinct whistles to communicate. Researchers suggest they possess the ability to recall fellow dolphins' whistles even after long periods of separation.

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They use echolocation for navigation -

Dolphins possess their own sonar, enabling them to perceive objects through sound waves.

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They use echolocation for navigation -

Dolphins use click sounds to detect their surroundings and navigate through the echo produced when these sounds bounce off objects.

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They don't use their teeth as we do -

Dolphins have teeth but don't use them for chewing food like humans do. 

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They don't use their teeth as we do -

Dolphins use their teeth to capture their prey, which they swallow whole without chewing.

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They live in groups -

Dolphins live in groups which are referred to as pods. This helps them to organize themselves for hunting, evading predators, and supporting ailing or wounded members.

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They live in groups -

On occasion, these groups of dolphins join together, creating a "superpod" that can contain more than 1,000 dolphins! 

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There are lots of dolphin species -

While bottlenose dolphins are well-known, there are 44 other dolphin species.

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There are lots of dolphin species -

Killer whales, or Orcas, are the biggest type of dolphin species (yes, they're dolphins!).

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Porpoises are not dolphins -

Although they may bear similarities, porpoises and dolphins are two distinct species. Dolphins tend to be larger than porpoises, sporting elongated beaks and curved dorsal fins.

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Porpoises are not dolphins -

Compared to dolphins, these small whales have small rounded beaks, triangular dorsal fins, and distinctive teeth.

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They are used by the U.S. Navy -

The Navy Marine Mammal Program, located at San Diego's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, is responsible for training dolphins. These intelligent creatures are taught to detect mines, identify enemy divers, and even provide security for a nuclear arsenal.

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They've been used in war -

Dolphins were employed in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf for military purposes as well.

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Some dolphin species are endangered -

This is caused by several factors. Hunting threatens their population as their meat is consumed in some regions of Japan and the Faroe Islands. They're also at risk from overfishing which results in them getting caught in nets. Finally, like all sea creatures, pollution is a major threat.

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Some dolphin species are endangered -

Ocean temperatures are rising and impacting the habitats of various species, including some that dolphins rely on for food.

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Lifespan -

The lifespan of different species varies, but wild dolphins tend to live longer than those in captivity.

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Lifespan -

However, there are a few exceptions where aquatic mammals can thrive in captivity. For instance, Nellie, a dolphin living in a marine entertainment park in Florida, managed to live an impressive 61 years.

See also: Can underwater farms save the world from climate change?

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