Dolphins are remarkable and fast swimmers, and they inhabit the oceans throughout the world. They frequently leap above the water surface, especially when looking for food. Jumping can save the dolphin energy and lets him easily follow colonies of seagulls, because when seagulls are around, this is a clear sign that there are also schools of fish in the area.

One common feeding method is herding. Dolphins detect their preys usually through echolocation (high frequency sounds), and to that purpose their head contains a specialized round organ called “melon”. Dolphins can dive to deep levels of the sea and for long periods of time, but they usually dive for only a few minutes.

Dolphins are social and live in pods. They communicate among themselves using a variety of click and whistle-like sounds, sometimes also through body contact and echolocation. They love to interact with humans by coming close to their boats and jumping over the waves.

Except for humans, dolphins have few natural enemies. In some regions and countries, such as the Faroe island (Denmark) and in Japan, dolphins are cruelly hunted and killed, and this shocking mass killing was brought to the public’s attention in the documentary film called The Cove produced by the former dolphin trainer and activist Richard O’Barry. The film received the Academy Award for Best Documentary.