An educational children's story about a dolphin. Description of a dolphin for children

Dolphins have long been one of the most beloved ocean animals by humans. They have high intelligence and a cheerful, friendly disposition. Most of us associate dolphins with funny acrobatic performances in the dolphinarium. However, some countries are seriously concerned about keeping dolphins in captivity and are even passing laws to protect them.

Why have dolphins earned such respect among many peoples and become an integral part of human culture? Let's try to figure it out by studying interesting facts about these wonderful animals.

Dolphin in an enclosure.

India has become the fourth country to ban the keeping of dolphins in captivity. Previously, Costa Rica, Hungary and Chile took similar measures. Indians call dolphins “a person or person of other origin than homo sapiens.” Accordingly, the “person” must have its own rights, and its exploitation for commercial purposes is legally unacceptable. Scientists who analyze animal behavior (ethologists) say that it is very difficult to determine the line separating human intelligence and emotions from the nature of dolphins.

The dolphin is the only mammal whose birth literally begins with the tail, and not with the head! Young dolphins stay with their mother for two or three years.

In nature, there are almost forty species of dolphins, their closest relatives are whales and sea ​​cows. Dolphins evolved relatively recently - about ten million years ago, during the Miocene. Most species of dolphins live in salt water, but there are also freshwater animals.

Adult dolphins reach sizes from 1.2 m in length and weight from 40 kg ( river dolphin) up to 9.5 m and 10 tons (orca). The brain is the largest organ in a dolphin's body. During sleep, part of the brain is awake, allowing the dolphin to breathe in its sleep to prevent drowning. The life of a dolphin directly depends on access to oxygen.

Dolphins have a weak sense of smell, but excellent vision and absolutely unique hearing. Producing powerful sound pulses, they are capable of echolocation, which allows them to perfectly navigate in the water, find each other and get food.

Dolphins can swim at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour for long periods of time. That's about three times faster than the world's fastest swimmers.

They also love to do... surfing! For example, off the coast Hawaiian Islands You can often see surfing dolphins.

The history of interaction between man and dolphin begins with the first mention of these animals. It was recently discovered that the body language of dolphins closely follows the rules of human verbal communication. Communication with dolphins has a positive effect on the human body, especially on the child’s psyche. British experts came to this conclusion back in 1978. Since that time, the development of “dolphin therapy” began. It is now used to treat many physical and mental illness, including autism. Swimming with dolphins relieves chronic pain, improves immunity and even helps children develop speech.

A dolphin and a pregnant woman off the coast of Ixtapa, Mexico. Ixtapa, MexicoPicture: CATERS

Absolutely unique feature dolphins - they can “look inside” a person, like an ultrasound device: for example, they quickly determine a woman’s pregnancy. The feeling of “new life” often excites dolphins very emotionally; they react violently and joyfully to pregnant women. As a rule, pregnant women are not allowed to swim in enclosures (although this may be best time for communication) so as not to take away the attention of animals from other visitors and to avoid an involuntary “emotional attack” on the unborn baby.

A touching example of human care for animals: a 10-day-old dolphin who lost its mother is being fed at the shelter.

He already has best friend- little penguin.

Dolphins easily and friendly communicate with other animals, and they reciprocate.

Dolphins study a tiger cub at a safari park in Ginseng, China.

An incredibly romantic fact from the “personal” life of dolphins - ethologists studying Amazon dolphins have discovered that males give gifts to potential partners. So, what gift is waiting for a female dolphin to consider a male as a candidate for procreation? Of course, a bouquet of river algae!

Due to their graceful beauty, dolphins have become popular models for photographers from all over the world. Let's see if looking at stunning photographs of these animals also has an effect similar to “dolphin therapy”?

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An essay describing a dolphin and information about dolphins for children will help prepare for the lesson.

Description of a dolphin for children

If you asked me what smart animal I know, I would certainly name a dolphin. After all, few people know that a dolphin is not a fish at all, but a mammal. Therefore, this “miracle of nature” is one of the most mysterious in the water empire and an extremely intelligent creature.

Dolphins are often called the sirens of the sea. All this is explained by the wide amplitude of sounds. This is how animals recognize each other and gather in flocks. The peculiarity is that they are capable of self-sacrifice. And they will fight for their relative to the last.

Dolphins have interesting structure, because in size they are close to human ones. The skin color is more often than series. Their naked, strong and muscular body with developed fins allows them to move quickly in the water. The transition between the nasal and frontal parts is quite well defined. Although there is no nose as such, because it is fused into one nostril, this does not prevent them from swimming in the depths. Dolphin eyes are tiny, like beads. That's why the world around us they perceive through sounds.

For some reason, these brave animals fell in love with humans very much. This can be seen beautifully in dolphinariums. They quickly jump out of the water and happily greet spectators. They are very trainable.

Dolphins have long been a symbol of the sea. There are many legends about them. They rescue those who ask for help at sea. Dolphins are also priceless companions of sailors, accompanying them on long sea voyages.

Essay on the topic “My favorite animal is the dolphin”

My favorite animal is the dolphin. I think they are especially elegant and beautiful. Dolphins live in the seas and oceans. When you watch a movie, they often show how a dolphin saves people. I would really like to ride a dolphin. You can say this is my dream. I really love going to the dolphinarium, especially stroking the cute dolphins’ wet bodies. Dolphins also make very funny sounds, similar to a child screaming for joy when they play with him.

Essay about dolphins

Dolphins are one of the most mysterious animals on our planet.
The intelligence of these sea inhabitants is considered so high that they are called “people of the sea.” Scientists say that dolphins are smarter and smarter than all other animals.
Dolphins live in water, but they are not fish, but mammals from the order Cetacea. That is, they need air - they breathe with lungs, not gills. People can always see the faces of dolphins on the surface of the sea because dolphins can stay underwater for an average of about 3-5 minutes.

Dolphins live in schools. They always help each other and never leave each other in trouble. These highly developed marine animals are very similar to people; they are characterized by self-sacrifice. If they hear sounds from the shore, similar to a dolphin cry for help, they are thrown onto land, dying in the process.

The dolphin is the embodiment of friendliness and kindness.
Dolphins can make about ten different sounds. Dolphins' hearing is unique and operates on the principle of an echolocator. By reflected sounds, dolphins can determine the distance of an object, its size, and shape. The dolphin navigates the space around it much more through hearing than through vision.

A dolphin can eat up to 30 kilograms of live fish per day.
Dolphins live for about 30 years.

Dolphins are born approximately once every two years. At this time, the dolphin tries to jump high so that the calf can take its first breath.
Dolphins are very touching parents, caring for their young for about five years. And even when reaching puberty, the cub still remains strongly attached to its mother and tries to follow her everywhere.

Which have been developing in parallel with humanity since the appearance of life on the planet. They have their own language and hierarchy, their brain activity is strikingly different from that of all other animals and fish and cannot be fully studied. Experiments conducted with the participation of these creatures usually baffle researchers, since they cannot form a definite opinion about the level of intelligence of dolphins. Of course, they are very smart and hide secrets that humanity will study for a long time. That is why interesting facts about dolphins never cease to amaze not only children, but also adults.

Who are dolphins?

First of all, it must be said that dolphins are not fish, despite the fact that they live in water. These creatures are mammals and viviparous, just like all inhabitants of the animal world. In this case, the female gives birth to only one baby, and not many. And the mother bears her child from ten to eighteen months. The name of the animal, which dates back to the ancient Greek language, is translated as “newborn baby.” What this is connected with is now difficult to determine. Perhaps dolphins received this name for their piercing cry, similar to, or perhaps for their resemblance to, a human fetus in the womb.

The most amazing facts about dolphins prove their close proximity to humans. These animals swim very quickly, so they often compete in speed with ships and have fun by jumping out of the water and seeming to smile at people looking at them. There are known facts of human rescue by dolphins.

Dolphin species

There are more than seventy species of dolphins in nature. They have specific similarities with each other, such as viviparity, feeding on milk, the presence of respiratory organs, smooth skin and much more. Also in dolphins different types has its own characteristics. Some animals have an elongated nasal part, while others, on the contrary, have a depressed one. They may differ in color and body weight.

Oceanic beauty - bottlenose dolphin

The bottlenose dolphin, interesting facts about which never cease to amaze the world, is the kindest and most sympathetic creature on the planet. They live in warm waters world ocean. bottlenose dolphins are fish, squids and small inhabitants of the ocean depths.

The bottlenose dolphin, interesting facts about which history knows, is a very compassionate creature. An indicative case occurred in New Zealand in 2004. A hundred meters from the shore, four rescuers were attacked by a white shark. A school of bottlenose dolphins protected people for forty minutes from a predator that sensed its prey. There is no explanation for this fact of kindness and compassion on the part of animals.

Interesting facts about dolphins are varied. One of them says that bottlenose dolphins have a brain volume of one thousand five hundred milligrams. According to scientists' research, each dolphin has its own name, which its relatives call it. All of them produce peculiar sounds that are difficult for the human ear to catch, but in its environment one individual differs from another precisely in its peculiar timbre and manner of communication.

Dolphin hunting methods

An interesting fact is that dolphins use echolocation to hunt. Their hearing is designed in such a way that, based on the reflected signal, animals can determine the number of objects, their volume and degree of danger. Dolphins can deafen their prey with high-frequency sounds, paralyzing them. These creatures hunt only in packs, and they also cannot live alone. Dolphin families sometimes number about a hundred individuals. Thanks to these abilities, the animal is never left without abundant food.

Coastal white-beaked dolphin

White-faced dolphins are inhabitants of temperate waters. Mostly they live in coastal zone and feed on bottom fish. Most often they are found off the coast of Norway, where fishing for dolphins of this species is open.

The white-faced dolphin is unique; interesting facts about it are very common. The motives of this species of individuals that force the animals to wash ashore are unclear. Despite the fact that they can breathe oxygen, water is vital for them, since the surface of the skin must not be allowed to dry out. Scientists hypothesize that white-beaked dolphins wash ashore due to infections and diseases that plague them. But this, like everything related to dolphins, requires deep and detailed research.

Dolphin and man

Interesting facts about dolphins say that they are smarter than any person on the planet. As already mentioned, the brain of these creatures can reach a weight of 1700 mg, while in humans it is 1400 mg. In addition, compared to humans, dolphins have significantly more convolutions in the cerebral cortex. Interesting facts (for children) about these creatures help develop in the younger generation a desire to learn more about our smaller brothers.

Dolphins have a “lexicon” of fourteen thousand signals, which are pronounced with different intonations and unique voices. Animal psychologists say that dolphins have quite developed self-awareness and social consciousness. Since they live in a collective, its problems are not alien to each individual. If a sick or weak dolphin appears in a family, then all its relatives help it and push it to the surface, giving it the opportunity to swallow fresh air. Some people should learn compassion from these noble animals.

Gray's Paradox

Interesting facts about the life of dolphins include Gray's Paradox. James Gray established back in the thirties of the twentieth century that the speed of an animal in water is thirty-seven kilometers per hour, which contradicts the muscular capabilities of the body. According to the scientist, dolphins need to change the streamlining of their bodies in order to develop such speed. Experts from the USA and the USSR puzzled over this question, but final decision it was never accepted.

Dolphin tongue

The category “The most interesting facts about dolphins” includes their ability to communicate with each other and detect prey. Researchers have discovered that these creatures have their own sounds for different life situations, and they are divided into sonar and communicative. Sonar signals are used to detect prey, and communication signals are used to communicate within the family.

Ordinary human hearing is unable to catch the dolphin call. Humans perceive sounds up to twenty kilohertz, and dolphins emit signals at a frequency of up to two hundred kilohertz.

Scientists have found that in the speech of animals there are more than one hundred and eighty different whistles. Dolphin sounds form syllables, words and even phrases. And representatives from different regions each whistle in their own dialect.

They created a device with which they are trying to recognize the meaning of dolphin signals.

Not long ago it was found that the ultrasound emitted by dolphins has a beneficial effect on humans and even helps in the treatment of certain diseases.

Treatment of humans with the help of dolphins

The interaction between a dolphin and a person always has a beneficial effect on psychological state the latter, which is why such treatment as dolphin therapy appeared. In most cases, this therapy helps children with certain communication disorders. Autism, attention deficit disorder and even cerebral palsy can be treated by interacting with these amazing animals.

Dolphin Defense

The most amazing facts about dolphins highlight their excellent ability to interact with people. These animals were trained for military purposes by the two largest world powers of the twentieth century - the USA and the USSR. Dolphins were trained to find mines, rescue sailors from sunken ships and even destroy enemy ships. submarines, unfortunately, dying during the operation.

All the most interesting things about dolphins

It's safe to say that dolphins are the most... unusual creatures planets. Here are 10 interesting facts about dolphins.

• The ancient Greeks revered the dolphin as a deity and gave it the name “sacred fish.” The statue of Apollo at Delphi bore the image of this animal.
• The Romans placed dolphin figurines in the hands of the dead during burial. According to legend, they were supposed to accompany a person to the afterlife.
• Dolphin figurines were found in the Jordan desert. It is surprising that this country is located far from the habitat of animals.
• Dolphins have teeth, but do not use them to chew because their jaws are not overgrown with muscles.
• These animals understand human speech if they communicate directly with people. They can remember up to sixty words.
• If a dolphin has one tablespoon of water in its lungs, it will die. In this case, a land dweller, a person, dies from two tablespoons of water.
• Female dolphins help each other give birth to their offspring. All other relatives provide protection at this time.
• Dolphins can't smell, but they do, so they can be offended by a gift of chili pepper and thank you for candy.
• A dolphin weighing one hundred and twenty kilograms needs to eat thirty-three kilograms of fish a day, while the animals do not gain weight or become obese.
• Dolphins help fishermen fish. They tell you when there are a lot of fish in the nets and it’s time to pull them out.

All interesting facts about dolphins are associated with their unique abilities and talents, as well as with the “human” characteristics of the species.

Once upon a time there was a little Dolphin in the world. He lived in a big, big sea. And he loved him very much. After all, the sea was his home. His family lived here: mom, dad, brothers, sisters. Here he had many friends.
The baby dolphin, although still small, knew a lot about the sea and its inhabitants. He knew how different the sea was: sometimes warm and gentle, sometimes cold and stormy. He knew where to wait out the storm and where to swim for fun. Of course, there were dangers in the sea, but he still loved it - it was his native element.
Every morning the Little Dolphin met the dawn, rejoiced at meeting his friends, and looked forward to new impressions from each coming day. And only one meeting always upset the Little Dolphin - a meeting with the Big Shark. This one is huge toothy fish she was very angry. No, she was not dangerous to the Baby Dolphin, although she was a predator. But she constantly made fun of him, making fun of his naive and kind view of the world.
When meeting, she could sarcastically ask him:
- Well, how? Did you see the sun today, or didn’t you have time? Otherwise, suddenly it won’t rise without you, and we won’t see a new day. This will be hilarious!

Another time she said, giggling:
- I’m surprised how you never get tired of saying hello to all your friends? You have so many of them that even a year is not enough to count them all! Not like saying “hello”!

And until when will you be so kind and nice? – the Shark said angrily to him the next time, – Haven’t you yet managed to understand that the world is cruel and everyone in it is for himself? Although, of course, you have parents and it’s good for you to hide behind them from any difficulties. You don't know life yet. After all, you are still just a little baby!

And at the same time she laughed so loudly and disgustingly that the Little Dolphin’s jaw clenched with anger. He tried to answer her: sometimes kindly, sometimes evilly, sometimes he tried to simply remain silent. But in any case, he was very upset because he saw that all this was useless. But the Little Dolphin didn’t know how to give her a worthy rebuff.
He swam to his mother and complained about evil Shark. But his mother told him: “Don’t pay attention, son! The angrier you are, the funnier it is for her. And she takes your kind explanations for weakness. You know, people have a saying: “Don’t throw pearls before swine.” This means - do not waste your energy and words on someone who is not able to hear and understand you. This is exactly the case. Believe me, only time will judge everything and put it in its place.”
Of course, mom was wise, and she was right, but the Dolphin Cub couldn’t bear to wait for some incomprehensible time. When suddenly one day...
It happened on one of ordinary days. The baby dolphin, tumbling and diving, did not notice how it fell behind its friends and swam far to the side. He heard someone call him and, looking back, saw the Big Shark. She swam towards him with the obvious intention of taunting him again. The baby Dolphin prepared himself for the fact that this time he would not allow the Shark to get the better of him. His determination was so great that he was the first to get involved in the conversation. And this conversation grew into such a heated and angry argument that both did not notice the passing fishing boat.
And only when they were both carried aside by some incomprehensible force, they looked back and realized that they had fallen into fishing nets. The baby dolphin was not particularly scared at first. He treated people well and knew that sailors and fishermen love dolphins and do not offend them. But after this, he suddenly remembered what his father had told him - among sailors there are sometimes sea poachers, from whom one can expect a lot of trouble. The baby dolphin did not want to end up with poachers. Therefore, he decided not to tempt fate. He remembered from his father’s lessons that it was impossible to handle the network alone. So he started calling for help. In his dolphin language, he began to make sounds that meant: “Help, I need help!”
A Big Shark rushed about in search of salvation - she knew for sure that people would not spare her. And suddenly she heard the sounds of the Dolphin calling for help. And a few seconds later she saw a flock of Dolphins rushing to his aid. They swam to the net and began to try to tear it apart. But they did it poorly, and the network did not give in. And then, looking at all this fuss, the Shark thought: “But no one will come to save me, no matter how much I ask and call. And if tomorrow I’m gone, no one in this vast sea will regret me. On the contrary, many will rejoice! How bad it is that I don’t have a single soulmate in this world!” And it became so sad Big Shark!
Looking around in search of salvation, she saw that the Dolphins had already managed to tear the net in one place. “Well, it’s necessary! – Shark was surprised, “They’re already doing it!” But they will still be fussing with it for a long time, because their teeth are not as sharp as mine. Only together can we break the ropes,” she realized, “The Dolphins need to be helped – otherwise they won’t get out!”
She swam up to them and began to tear the net with her sharp teeth. The ropes began to give in, but slowly.

Grab it tight! - the Shark shouted to the Dolphins, - I’ll grab it too, and we’ll pull with all our might in different directions!

So they did. The Shark's jaws were very strong, and she tightly clung to the ropes. The dolphins tried to keep up, holding the strong net with their teeth with all their might. And then another effort, another... the network finally broke with a bang.
Having slipped into the resulting hole, the Shark was the first to quickly rush away. And after the Shark, other fish began to swim out. The Baby Dolphin also swam out.

The next morning, joyful and cheerful as always, the Little Dolphin met the dawn. And suddenly a Big Shark swam up to him unnoticed from behind. Together with him, she silently and thoughtfully began to look at the rising sun. The baby dolphin was surprised by this behavior of the fish, but still decided to politely thank it.
- I would like to say “thank you” to you for yesterday. You saved me and many fish from trouble when you helped break the net.
- I didn’t save you, but myself! – Shark answered.
- Oh yes! I forgot that your motto is: “Everyone for himself!” But thanks anyway!
“You don’t need to thank me,” Shark said sadly. – I should say “thank you” to you. I just realized yesterday how bad it is to be lonely! Only yesterday I realized how important it is to have friends - they will help you in trouble, and they will share your joy with you. I realized that having friends, life really takes on a different meaning...

The baby Dolphin looked at the Shark in silence and amazement. He didn't expect such words from her!
- You know, I would WANT to ask you to become my friend, but I won’t for now. After all, we – Sharks – have never been able to be friends. But I would really like to meet the sunrise with you every day. Can? – she asked.
- Of course you can! – the Dolphin answered seriously in an adult manner, “Swim tomorrow.” Just be sure! I'll be waiting for you!

Prepared material

Alena Podobed

Many of us have been to dolphin shows. Funny and always smiling animals, they swim to music, catch rings, jump over obstacles and even draw. In this article you will learn even more little-known information. We offer you the most interesting facts about dolphins.

• 1. Dolphins belong to the family of the suborder of toothed whales of the cetacean order.
• 2. Under the name “dolphin”, scientists identify about 70 species of living creatures that inhabit bodies of water (seas, oceans, bays and rivers around the world).

• 3. Dolphins have a very interesting swimming style. Describing circles first in one direction, they observe those around them with one eye, and in the other direction with the other eye. Thus, dolphins make sure that predators do not get close.
• 4. The fastest species of dolphins swim at speeds of more than 30 kilometers per hour. The average speed of most individuals is from 5 to 12 kilometers per hour.

• 5. Dolphins live in schools, and all its members are relatives. They help each other when necessary, support the babies above the water so that they do not choke. There are numerous reports of dolphins rescuing drowning people.

• 6. At birth, each dolphin is given its own name by the pod. The difference in the sound of whistles between individuals has been scientifically recorded.
• 7. Structure internal organs Dolphins are in many ways similar to humans. These mammals also breathe with lungs and have a four-chambered heart. In addition, the ratio of brain mass to total mass body and even its dimensions (1.5-2 meters) are also approximately the same as in humans.
• 8. To see an object up close, dolphins, like killer whales, lie on their sides.
• 9. The blowhole on the upper body of dolphins is responsible for the sounds they make.

• 10. To find food, dolphins use their natural ability of echolocation.
• 11. Dolphins can recognize themselves in the reflection of a mirror.
• 12. According to scientists, dolphins descended from land animals similar to wolves. In the process of evolution, they adapted to life in water.
• 13. The head of the dolphin family is a female.

• 14. Nature made sure that the newly born dolphin does not swallow sea ​​water. The calf is born with its flippers forward. When the head is born, the mother, together with other relatives, pushes it to the surface of the water.
• 15. Dolphins differ from fish in the way they swim. If fish underwater wave their tail from side to side, then these animals move it up and down.
• 16. An adult dolphin has 210 teeth. They are used to capture and hold food. But dolphins cannot chew; they do not have chewing muscles.

• 17. Everyone is interested in how dolphins sleep. After all, they, like people, need air. The brain of dolphins is structured in such a way that while one half of it is asleep, the other is awake, and accordingly is responsible for breathing. So dolphins sleep about 8 hours a day, swimming near the surface of the water or in shallow water.
• 18. A little dolphin stays near its mother for about 2-3 years.
• 19. Whales and sea cows are the closest relatives of dolphins.
• 20. An adult river dolphin weighs about 40 kilograms, and a killer whale (also a genus of dolphins) can reach 10 tons.

• 21. There are more than 180 different sounds in the speech of dolphins.
• 22. Dolphins have, in truth, unique ability Ultrasound examination of living beings. It is thanks to this that mammals accurately determine the pregnancy of women in the water with them. Having learned about this, dolphins display a very active, joyful, violent emotional attack.
• 23. Male dolphins give gifts to their potential mates during the courtship period. It could be a luxurious bouquet... of algae!

Interesting video about dolphins. The guy was just filming a video and didn’t know that he would film something like this... Watch: