Dolphin Itsy Bitsies 8cm - Soft Toy

Physical Characteristics
Bottlenose dolphins are well known as the intelligent and charismatic stars of the oceans, seas and aquariums around the world; their curved mouths giving the appearance of a friendly, permanent smile, A dolphin's brain, in relation to the size of its body, is larger than the brains of chimpanzees and great apes. Average lifespan in the wild: 45 to 50 years Size: 10 to 14 ft.

Habitat
Dolphins are found in tropical oceans and other warm waters around the globe.

Behaviour
Bottlenose dolphins travel in social groups and communicate with each other by a complex system of squeaks and whistles. Schools of dolphins have been known to come to the aid of an injured dolphin and help it to the surface. Bottlenose dolphins track their prey through the expert use of echolocation. They can make up to 1,000 clicking noises per second. In the wild, these sleek swimmers can reach speeds of over 18 miles an hour.

Breeding
Unlike any other mammal, dolphin babies are born tail first. A mother dolphin will stay with a calf for two to three years.

Diet
An adult dolphin may consume 30 pounds of fish or more in a single day. Dolphins swallow fish whole, despite the 100 teeth in their mouths which are only used to grasp prey. Dolphins eat bottom-dwelling fish, though they also eat shrimp and squid. These clever aquatic mammals are also sometimes spotted following fishing boats in hopes of dining on leftovers.

Strange and Interesting Facts
A Dolphin's dorsal fin is as distinctive as a person's face. Bottlenose dolphins have been observed to breach up to 16 feet (4.9 meters) out of the water, landing with a splash on their back or side.