Question 1: It’s National Dolphin Day. Which dolphin species is featured in the photo?
- Atlantic spotted dolphin
- Common bottlenose dolphin
- Clymene dolphin
Answer: Atlantic spotted dolphin
Fact: The Atlantic spotted dolphin is a medium-sized marine mammal inhabiting warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It can grow up to 7 feet in length and weigh about 310 pounds. As it matures, distinctive spots appear across its smooth body. Highly intelligent, it communicates using clicks and whistles and relies on echolocation to hunt fish and squid. Known for its playful nature and impressive acrobatic leaps, this dolphin often swims alongside boats, eagerly displaying its energetic behavior.
Question 2: What is a group of dolphins called?
- Herd
- Pod
- School
Answer: Pod
Fact: Dolphins are extremely social animals, typically living in pods of up to a dozen individuals, although group sizes can vary. In areas with abundant food, multiple pods may temporarily combine to form super pods containing over 1,000 dolphins. They develop strong social bonds and have been observed assisting injured pod members by helping them reach the surface to breathe. Communication plays a crucial role in maintaining group cohesion—when pods spread out, dolphins increase their use of whistles to stay connected. In larger groups, where individual whistles might be masked by similar sounds, dolphins modify their signals to maintain contact while traveling together.
Question 3: Which is the smallest dolphin species?
- Hector’s dolphin
- Irrawaddy dolphin
- Dusky dolphin
Answer: Hector’s dolphin
Fact: Hector’s dolphins are native exclusively to the coastal waters of New Zealand. Adult males typically measure between 4 and 5 feet in length, while females are about 5–7% longer. These dolphins favor shallow waters such as bays, estuaries, and coastal regions with depths under 330 feet. They are most commonly found around the South Island. In contrast, the critically endangered Māui dolphin—a subspecies of Hector’s dolphin—resides along the west coast of the North Island. Recognizable by their rounded dorsal fins and distinctive gray, black, and white coloring, Hector’s dolphins are frequently observed engaging in playful behavior near the water’s surface.