Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. The family Delphinidae is the largest in the Cetacean order, and evolved relatively recently, about ten million years ago, during the Miocene.

There are almost forty species of dolphin in seventeen genera. They vary in size from the 1.2 m (4 ft) and 40 kg (90 lb) Maui's dolphin, up to the 9.5 m (30 ft) and 10 tonnes (9.8 LT; 11 ST) orca (or killer whale). They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid.

Dolphins are among the most intelligent animals, and their often friendly appearance and seemingly playful attitude have made them popular in human culture.

External links

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin

See also

• cetacean
• toothed_whale
• dolphin