Dolphin (Nai’a)

Fun Tail Facts: • Dolphins give birth to their babies tail first! • Some dolphins whack their prey, usually fish, with their tail to stun them! • There is a dolphin, named Winter, that was given an artificial tail because she lost hers after it got caught in marine debris.

Created through cooperation with:

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS, 726 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei HI 96753 https://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov Table of Contents

• Fun Facts

• Coloring Pages

• Craft Projects

• Word Search

• Video Links:

• HSPLS Tails and Tales with NOAA Video Playlist

• Dolphins 101 from Ocean Today at NOAA • Dolphins Anatomy from Ocean Today at NOAA • Dolphins at the Doctor from Ocean Today at NOAA • Patrick Ching on How to Draw a Dolphin at Waikiki Aquarium DOLPHINS

• Spinner dolphins can complete up to 7 full rotations when

spinning through the air!

• Dolphins use a series of high-pitched clicks, a process called echolocation, to navigate

and find food.

• A dolphin needs to come to the surface to breathe air, so only ½ of their brain can rest

or sleep at any one time!

• Killer whales, the largest of the dolphin family, have a unique gray colored “saddle”

patch behind its dorsal fin that helps identify unique individuals.

• Dolphins are carnivores, and depending on the species may eat a variety of fish, squid,

crustaceans, and even other mammals (like seals or whales)!

• In Hawai’i, there is one species of dolphin that is considered endangered: the false

killer whale.

• The spinner dolphins in Hawai’i are very social animals and can be seen in groups

numbering 300 individuals!

• Some dolphins are nocturnal, meaning they are more active and feed at night and sleep

during the day.

• Dolphins are considered one of the smartest mammals on earth. They can even

recognize themselves in a mirror! Where does a dolphin live? Draw in and color its habitat below! CRAFT PROJECT Dolphin Art

Dolphin Puzzle You will find the parts to the dolphin puzzle are on the attached page. Cut them out and put together the dolphin. Tape or glue the pieces together. Add a chop stick to him and you have a “puppet on a stick”. Dolphin Puzzle Design your dorsal fin. Cut it out of cardboard or heavy paper. Color it with a design, notches cuts etc. Tape it to your back and pretend to swim like a dolphin. Dolphin Word Search Circle the words in the puzzle below!