 |
 |
| Great BLUE MARBLE - Dolphins |
| What are the smallest dolphins, the largest dolphins, and the largest whales? | ||
 |
Cetacean Superlatives |  |
| The
largest cetacean is the blue whale. In fact, the blue whale is likely
the largest animal ever to have lived on earth. A length of over 110 ft. (33m), and a weight of 190 tons have been recorded. The smallest cetaceans are Hector's dolphin (above left), Commerson's dolphin (above right), Franciscana dolphin, and Tucuxi dolphin. These dolphins average 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8m). |
||
| The largest dolphin is the killer
whale, often referred to as an Orca whale (right). Adult killer whales weigh 3-9 tons, and are 18-32 ft. (5.5-10m) in length. Pods or groups of killer whales may contain 150 whales or more. Killer whales are one of the most wide-ranging mammals on earth. Killer whales are located in all oceans, particularly in the polar regions. |
  |
| Dolphin History, Facts, News, Quotes, Animation, and Posters |
 |
|
 |
| Did You Know? Dolphins are small whales, and dolphins are very ancient creatures. According to fossil evidence, scientists say the modern dolphins first appeared on earth during the Miocene period, 25 million years ago. Rare dolphin species live in rivers in the Amazon and China, but most dolphins live in the temperate oceans . There are 26 recognized species of Delphinidae (dolphin), and dolphins are the most diverse family of the Cetaceans. Cetaceans comprise all whales, porpoises, and dolphins. |
|
The first recorded studies of
dolphins and dolphin behavior, was undertaken by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC). In Historia Animalium (The History of Animals), Aristotle was the first to correctly claim that dolphins were mammals like us. He noted that dolphins bore their young alive, dolphins suckled their young, dolphins breathed air, and dolphins communicated by underwater dolphin sounds. |
 |
 |
|
 |
| Did You Know?
People and dolphins have had a special bond for centuries. During the 20th Century the navies of Russia and the United States carried out extensive maneuvers with dolphins, who acted as underwater couriers for the navy. Generally, dolphin missions were affixing bombs to enemy ships. |
|
In October 2000 Russia retired most of their dolphins. These Russian navy dolphins now swim with sick children, to help them recover from their illness. Recent studies have shown that dolphins have remarkable curing powers, especially with small children. |
|
 
|
|
|
|
| Did You Know? Dolphins are sociable, and dolphins are very protective of their families and young. Dolphins are also known to be guides and protectors of people. There are many well documented stories throughout history that tell of ancient mariners who are guided to shore or safety by dolphins. Dolphin insignias were commonly used on ancient ships for protection. Modern ships such as Jacques Cousteau's Calypso research vessel, also used the dolphin as their ship's insignia. |
|
The Roman historian Pliny the Elder, tells the story of a boy who rode the back of a dolphin called Simo. The boy would ride the dolphin from Hippo, a small Roman settlement in Africa. Roman coins dated at 74 BC., show this dolphin scene. There is a similar story from Greece about a dolphin called Lassos, who fell in love with a boy, and took him far out to sea for dolphin rides. As recently as October 2000, it was reported that a small boy drowning off the coast of Italy was rescued and brought ashore by a dolphin. |
 Click on the celestial dolphin poster to view a larger image or to order from art.com. |
 |
 Click on the celestial dolphin poster to view a larger image or to order from art.com. |
|
|
Can you see the dolphin? |
||
|
|||
|
"The voice of the dolphin in air is like that of the human, in that they can pronounce vowels, and combinations of vowels." Aristotle, Ancient Greek Historian and Philosopher. |
"Dolphins may well be carrying information as well as functions critical to the regeneration of life upon our planet." Buckminster Fuller, Architect and Engineer. |
"Dolphins have new understandings, that seem to lie just beyond our present knowledge. There may be a common thread of consciousness' between man and dolphin." Joan McIntyre, Author and Scientist. |
| Proverbs
to Live By A small hole can sink a big ship. Russian Proverb |
|
|
Proverbs to Live By Love is the reward of love. Schiller |
 |
Austria .at |
Great
Blue Marble thanks the
people of the world who have visited us. |
Indonesia .id |
 |
|
|
| Getting Around Site |
Alphabet & Baby Names |
Amazing Pics & Facts |
Animal Info & Facts |
Sea
& Sky Animals |
Cartoon World |
Cartoon Animals |
Sounds
& Fun / Games |
| Home | Alphabet | Wildcats/Sea | Dinosaur Den | Sea Animals | People Toons | Animal Toons | Sounds/Songs |
| Enter Site | A-G Animals | Africa/Forest | World Zoos | Dolphins | Love Toons | Zoo Toons | Animal Find |
| Index Page | H-N Animals | Pets/Farm | On the Farm | Sky Birds | Creatures | Farm Toons | Animal Quiz |
| About Us | O-Z Animals | Space/Earth | Insect Garden | Penguins | Planets/Space | Pet Toons | Fun Sayings |
| Contact Us | Baby Animals | Nature/Earth | Coming Soon | Moonlight | Continents | Sea Toons | Farm Quiz |
| Animation © Animation Factory | © GreatBlueMarble.com 2000-2009 All Rights Reserved | Poster Art © Art.com |
|
|