Fin

Dolphin Facts

There are over 40 species of dolphins found in oceans and rivers around the world. All of these species probably came from one original created kind. The most famous dolphins are bottlenose dolphins like me. But some dolphins look very different from me; killer whales are black and white dolphins, and Amazon River dolphins are pink.

In our world, after the Fall, dolphins like me find our food using echolocation. This is a complex system that sends high-pitched sound waves bouncing out into the ocean. When they hit an object, like a yummy fish, the sound waves echo back. I can tell how big the fish is, how far away it is, how fast it’s going, and what direction it’s headed in. It’s an amazing design that requires an all-wise Creator to have made it.

But that’s not my only design! I have three layers of skin called the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, better known as blubber. This layer of blubber keeps me nice and warm while I swim. My skin also contains tiny ridges that trap little water molecules, allowing me to swim with less resistance. I use less energy and can go faster because of this design.

Here are some fun dolphin facts you can share with others:

• When we sleep, only half our brain shuts down. The other half stays awake!
• We communicate with squeaks, whistles, and body movement.
• We have been known to help injured or drowning swimmers.
• We’re very social mammals and can be trained to do tricks.
• We breathe air like you do, but we breathe through the blowhole on the top of our heads.
• Our epidermis, the outer layer of skin, is replaced every 2–3 hours!

Class: Mammalia (mammals)
Order: Cetacea (dolphins, whales, and porpoises)
Family: Delphinidae (dolphins, killer whales, pilot whales, and relatives)
Genus/Species: Tursiops truncates (common bottlenose dolphin)
Size: 6–13 ft. (1.8-4 m)
Weight: 330–650 lb. (150-295 kg)
Diet: Fish, squid, and crustaceans
Habitat: Warm waters worldwide

Character Trait

Dolphins should remind you that “no-fin” is more important than taking God seriously. God is our Creator and He knows what’s best for us. He also knows what the future holds—we definitely don’t! So we need to remember to always fear Him. Now, to “fear” Him doesn’t mean we should be afraid of God—He loves us! To fear God means to respect and obey Him.

Bible Verse

“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord” (Psalm 112:1).

Apologetics Focus

I live in the ocean, surrounded by water all the time. There was a time in history when the whole earth was covered in water—during the global Flood of Noah’s day. Did you know different people groups all around the world remember this event? You see, God saved Noah and his family on the Ark. All of the people around the world are descendants of Noah and his family. Noah’s sons told their kids about the Flood, and they told their kids, and they told their kids—you get the idea. Well, these passed down stories still exist today in people groups all over the world. This is evidence there really was a worldwide Flood just like it says in the Bible! Of course, the true account of the Flood is in the Bible, given to us by God.

Learn More

• Bottlenose Dolphin (Aquarium Guide)
• Bottlenose Dolphin (Sensational Sea Creatures)