4. Dolphins & Porpoises

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Dolphins and porpoises are toothed whales

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They have streamlined bodies and powerful tails that help them to move

easily through the water

Like other whales, dolphins and porpoises have a layer of blubber that

keeps them warm

3Hourglass dolphins

Dolphins and porpoises are alike in many ways

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The main differences in these two mammals is the shape of their snouts

and teeth (like gators and crocs!)

Dall’s Porpoise

Dolphins have beaklike snouts and cone-shaped teeth

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Porpoises have rounded snouts and flat teeth

Common dolphins grow to be about 7 feet long

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They have black backs, gray sides, and white bellies

Common dolphins live in warm waters and often follow ships for miles

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Bottle-nosed dolphins are the most familiar dolphins

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They may grow to be 12 feet long and are gray in color

Bottle-nosed dolphins are very social and seem to be very friendly toward

people

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Killer whales are the largest kind of dolphin

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They grow to be 30 feet long

Killer whales travel in pods and are often found in colder northern waters

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Along the coast of Alaska is a great place to find the killer whale in the

summer

Porpoises are smaller than dolphins and can grow to about 6 feet long

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Common porpoises have black backs and white bellies

Unlike dolphins, porpoises avoid people and often travel alone

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Dolphins and porpoises are very intelligent animals

They communicate with each other by making chirping sounds

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Many dolphins and porpoises live in groups that play and hunt for food

together

Dolphins and porpoises help members in their group that are in trouble

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They have also been known to help people in trouble in the waters