Learn about
DOLPHINS!
Understanding and helping dolphins.
Dolphins and their cousins, porpoises are
the smallest members of the whale family, or
cetaceans (seh-TAY-shuns). There are more
than 32 types of dolphins found in the
oceans and some rivers around the world.
All dolphins need our protection from
environmental problems like climate change,
pollution and people.
The Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, for
instance, is still found in U.S. waters.
However two freshwater dolphins, the susu
(SOO-soo) of India and the baiji (BAY-gee) of
China are close to extinction because of
river-water pollution.
Dolphins are not fish, but mammals.
Scientists say that dolphins have 1/3 more
brain cells than humans! Like us, they have
lungs and can’t breathe underwater. They
have to come up for air at least every 15
minutes.
Dolphins are intelligent, playful animals
that are trainable. Because it’s often hard
to see underwater, dolphins learn to
communicate by making various noises.
They can whistle, whine, groan, and clap
their jaws. To help them find food or
avoid danger, dolphins make fast clicking
sounds. From the sound of the echo, a
dolphin can tell the size, shape, and
speed of an object in just one second!
What do you think a dolphin sounds like
when it’s lonely, hungry, or scared? Have
classmates create a dolphin drama where
you communicate feelings with sounds.
Make up a code with your friends that uses
only sounds. Use bells, drums, mouth
noises, two sticks, or anything that makes
noise. Figure out how to communicate stop
and go, direction (such as left/right,
up/down), and danger. Have one person
send the messages to others who are
blindfold. Can you get the dolphins to go
where you want?
Taking steps to help dolphins.
1. Use reusable bags instead of plastic
bags at the grocery store. Bags often end
up in oceans.
2. Don’t use throw-away water bottles.
3. Recycle plastics whenever possible.
4. Never litter; always dispose of trash.
5. Encourage friends and family to reduce
their plastics use.
7. Stop using pesticides on lawns.
6. Whenever you can reduce the use of
energy, you will help protect dolphins
from climate change.
7. Start a petition to protect dolphins.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/