Question 2 of 21

How long do wild dolphins typically live?

... Researchers estimate that male dolphins can live to the age of 40 or older, while female dolphins can live into their 50s. Thanks to their long lifespan, these animals also have a long adolescence, with females reaching maturity between the ages of 5 and 13 and males reaching maturity between 8 and 13 years of age.

Question 3 of 21

Fact or fiction: Despite their small ears, dolphins have a remarkable sense of hearing.

... Fact: Dolphins have a better sense of hearing than either humans or bats, and can detect sounds well above 100 kilohertz.

Question 4 of 21

What's the biggest threat to dolphins in the wild?

... While sharks act as natural predators against dolphins, humans pose a far bigger threat. Pollution and habitat damage threaten dolphins around the world, while more than 300,000 dolphins, whales and porpoises die in fishing nets each year.

Question 5 of 21

How fast can common dolphins swim when chasing fish?

... While common dolphins typically maintain a pace between 5 and 7 miles per hour (8.1 to 11.3 kilometers per hour), they can swim up to 29 miles per hour (46.7 kilometers per hour) when chasing their prey. A dolphin can easily cover 200 miles (321.9 kilometers) in a 48-hour period.

Question 6 of 21

Fact or fiction: When a dolphin is sick or injured, his fellow dolphins may hold him up near the surface so he can breathe.

... Fact: Dolphins use their fins to support sick or injured friends, keeping them close to the surface so they can breathe. Dolphins also exhibit clear human-like emotions, such as demonstrating sadness at the death of a friend or showing excitement when reunited with a dolphin they once knew.

Question 7 of 21

What's the biggest source of food for dolphins?

... Dolphins primarily feed on fish, and often consume 18 to 20 pounds (8.2 to 9.1 kilograms) per day. They may also chow down on crustaceans, squid and octopus.

Question 8 of 21

Fact or fiction: Researchers have found that dolphins can recognize themselves in a mirror.

... Fact: When dolphins see themselves in a mirror, they recognize that they are looking at themselves, rather than a different dolphin. This demonstrates a sense of self-awareness that's found in very few non-human species.

Question 9 of 21

Fact or fiction: Dolphins can not only be trained to entertain humans, but also to collect trash from their enclosure.

... Fact: Dolphins in captivity have been trained to collect trash from their enclosure in exchange for a treat. One enterprising dolphin even put together a hidden stash of trash so she could swap items out for treats at her convenience.

Question 10 of 21

How deep can dolphins dive underwater?

... Dolphins can dive down 1,000 feet (304.8 meters) when chasing prey. They may also leap up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) out of the water.

Question 11 of 21

Where can you find the largest freshwater dolphins on Earth?

... The Amazon is home to boto dolphins, which grow up to 10 feet (3.1 meters) in length. The largest member of the dolphin family is the killer whale, which lives in saltwater and grows up to 30 feet (9.1 meters).

Question 12 of 21

Dolphins often use this as a tool when hunting for prey.

... Dolphins may hold sponges in their beaks to stir up the sea floor while searching for food. Some dolphins also use sponges to protect their face from scratches when prowling for fish on the sea floor.

Question 13 of 21

What type of dolphin was Flipper, the famous TV dolphin?

... Flipper was a bottlenose dolphin. Bottlenoses are typically used in shows because they are very responsive to human trainers.

Question 14 of 21

Fact or fiction: Dolphins can see what's happening on the surface while remaining underwater.

... Fiction: Dolphins can't look up, and must surface to see what's happening above the water. They do have the unique ability to move each eye independently of the other.

Question 15 of 21

What term is used to describe the natural sonar system that dolphins use to find food?

... Echolocation is a type of "bio-sonar" that allows dolphins to find prey using a series of clicks and pulses.

Question 16 of 21

Fact or fiction: Dolphins can hold their breath for up to 10 hours while they sleep.

... Fiction: Dolphins are conscious breathers, and many breathe several times a minute. That means they sleep for only a few minutes at a time in a semi-conscious state so they can keep surfacing for air.

Question 17 of 21

Fact or fiction: In Southern Brazil, dolphins work cooperatively with fishermen to help them catch fish.

... Fact: In Laguna, Brazil, groups of dolphins drive fish into the waiting nets of fishermen. The fish that escape the nets often head straight into the mouths of the dolphins, making this a mutually-beneficial arrangement.

Question 18 of 21

At a research center in Hawaii, a dolphin named Akeakamai picked up this amazing skill.

... Before her death in 1993, Akeakamai understood more than 60 different signs. She also understood more than 2,000 different commands that her trainers put together using her 60-word vocabulary.

Question 19 of 21

Fact or fiction: When dolphins spot a human struggling in the ocean, they are likely to attack.

... Fiction: Dolphins have been known to help humans who are struggling in the water. Some reports suggest that dolphins will carry drowning humans to shore, or help scare off sharks who are poised to attack.

Question 20 of 21

Each dolphin has his own unique version of this noise, which can be used for communication and identification.

... Each dolphin has his own unique whistle. When a friend imitates this whistle, it's like he's calling the dolphin's name or saying hello. Mothers teach their calves what their own sound will be by repeating it to them over and over when they are young.

Question 21 of 21

A documentary called "The Cove" told of the local tradition of eating dolphin in a rural section of this country.

... "The Cove" tells the story of the people of Taiji, Japan, who have long relied on dolphin as a source of food. Their story is controversial not only because many Westerners object to the idea of eating dolphin, but also because of the high levels of mercury found in dolphins around Taiji. In 2008, high mercury levels prompted local officials to remove dolphin from the menu at area schools.

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