Dolphin ( lissodelphis borealis)

Dolphin...or lissodelphis borealis!

Ever hear of a 30 foot dolphin? No? Well, I bet you would be surprised to find out that a killer whale is a type of dolphin. A dolphin is normally 4 feet long, and weighs 90 pounds, but killer whales (or orcas) can weigh up to 9000 pounds. Dolphins are very intelligent animals, and have been studied in the wild and in captivity. A dolphin commonly eats fish and squid, but orcas are known to eat other marine animals as well.

Dolphin mating happens stomach to stomach. Dolphin gestation period is about 11-12 months, and 17 months for the orca. Dolphins have been known to act sexually to one another and to other animals before they are mature enough.

There have been orca attacks on humans, three documented ones fatal. All three were done by the same orca, Tilikum, an orca from Sea World. Most recently he drowned his best trainer, Dawn Brancheau, dragging her to the bottom of his tank. To this day, orcas and dolphins alike can be found all around the world.