Dolphins

• Common Name: Dolphin
• Scientific Name: Delphinidae
• Habitat: Most species of dolphins live in shallow tropical and temperate areas throughout the world.
• Reproduction: Depending on the species, a dolphin's gestation period lasts from 9-17 months. They typically give birth to a single calf. In most cases, the calf is born tail first.
• Status: River dolphin species such as the Amazon river dolphin and the Ganges and Yangtze river dolphin are critically endangered.
• Interesting facts: Only half of a dolphin's brain goes to sleep while the other half stays awake so that the dolphin can continue breathing; dolphins use echolocation to navigate and hunt; the average lifespan for dolphins is 17 years.
• Major issue facing dolphins: dolphins are sometimes unintentionally killed by certain fishing methods.

I chose this animal because I knew that dolphins are extremely intelligent, so I wanted to learn more about them.