Dolphins are among the most intelligent animals on Earth. Belonging to the family Delphinidae, there are around 40 species of dolphins found in oceans and rivers across the globe. The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the most widely recognised species, famous for its curved mouth that gives it an apparent permanent smile.
These highly social mammals live in groups called pods, which can range from a few individuals to hundreds. Dolphins communicate through a complex system of clicks, whistles, and body language. Remarkably, each dolphin develops its own unique signature whistle — essentially a name — that other dolphins use to call them.
Dolphins use echolocation to navigate and hunt, emitting high-frequency sound waves that bounce off objects and return as echoes. This biological sonar is so precise that dolphins can detect objects as small as a golf ball from 70 metres away.
Known for their playful nature, dolphins frequently ride the bow waves of boats and engage in acrobatic leaps. Scientists have observed dolphins using tools — such as marine sponges to protect their snouts while foraging on the sea floor — a behaviour passed down from mother to calf across generations.