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What are the smallest dolphins, the largest dolphins, and the largest whales?
	Cetacean Superlatives
The largest cetacean is the blue whale. In fact, the blue whale is likely the largest animal ever to have lived on earth. A length of over 110 ft. (33m), and a weight of 190 tons have been recorded. The smallest cetaceans are Hector's dolphin (above left), Commerson's dolphin (above right), Franciscana dolphin, and Tucuxi dolphin. These dolphins average 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8m).

The largest dolphin is the killer whale,
often referred to as an Orca whale (right).
Adult killer whales weigh 3-9 tons, and
are 18-32 ft. (5.5-10m) in length. Pods or
groups of killer whales may contain 150
whales or more. Killer whales are one
of the most wide-ranging mammals on
earth. Killer whales are located in all
oceans, particularly in the polar regions.

Did You Know?
Dolphins are small whales, and dolphins are very ancient creatures. According to fossil evidence,
scientists say the modern dolphins first appeared on earth during the Miocene period, 25 million
years ago. Rare dolphin species live in rivers in the Amazon and China, but most dolphins live in the
temperate oceans . There are 26 recognized species of Delphinidae (dolphin), and dolphins are the
most diverse family of the Cetaceans. Cetaceans comprise all whales, porpoises, and dolphins.

The first recorded studies of dolphins and dolphin behavior, was undertaken by the ancient
Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC). In Historia Animalium (The History of Animals),
Aristotle was the first to correctly claim that dolphins were mammals like us. He noted that
dolphins bore their young alive, dolphins suckled their young, dolphins breathed air, and
dolphins communicated by underwater dolphin sounds.

Did You Know?
People and dolphins have had a special bond for centuries. During the 20th Century the navies
of Russia and the United States carried out extensive maneuvers with dolphins, who acted
as underwater couriers for the navy. Generally, dolphin missions were affixing bombs to enemy ships.

In October 2000 Russia retired most of their dolphins. These Russian navy dolphins now swim
with sick children, to help them recover from their illness. Recent studies have shown that
dolphins have remarkable curing powers, especially with small children.

Did You Know?
Dolphins are sociable, and dolphins are very protective of their families and young. Dolphins are also
known to be guides and protectors of people. There are many well documented stories
throughout history that tell of ancient mariners who are guided to shore or safety by dolphins.
Dolphin insignias were commonly used on ancient ships for protection. Modern ships such as Jacques
Cousteau's Calypso research vessel, also used the dolphin as their ship's insignia.

The Roman historian Pliny the Elder, tells the story of a boy who rode the back of a dolphin
called Simo. The boy would ride the dolphin from Hippo, a small Roman settlement in Africa.
Roman coins dated at 74 BC., show this dolphin scene. There is a similar story from Greece about a
dolphin called Lassos, who fell in love with a boy, and took him far out to sea for dolphin rides.
As recently as October 2000, it was reported that a small boy drowning off the coast of Italy
was rescued and brought ashore by a dolphin.

Click on the celestial dolphin poster to view a larger image or to order from art.com.		Click on the celestial dolphin poster to view a larger image or to order from art.com.
	Can you see the dolphin?

"The voice of the dolphin
in air is like that of the
human, in that they can
pronounce vowels, and
combinations of vowels."
Aristotle, Ancient Greek
Historian and Philosopher.

"Dolphins may well be
carrying information as
well as functions
critical to the regeneration
of life upon our planet."
Buckminster Fuller,
Architect and Engineer.

"Dolphins have new
understandings, that seem
to lie just beyond our
present knowledge. There
may be a common thread
of consciousness' between
man and dolphin."
Joan McIntyre,
Author and Scientist.

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