National Dolphin Day is annually observed on April 14. On this day, we honour dolphins, one of the world’s most intelligent and sociable mammals. Cetacean mammals, belonging to the same family as whales and porpoises, are dolphins. There have been numerous literary and cinematic depictions of dolphins in popular culture. The majority of these popular depictions are accurate. Dolphins are highly sociable and welcoming creatures. They enjoy the companionship of others and have a keen sense of hearing. Yes, they can detect significantly more frequencies than adults. Dolphins are abundant throughout the globe, though they favour shallow waters.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL DOLPHIN DAY
Approximately 50 million years ago, certain four-legged land creatures began spending an increasing amount of time in the water and progressively evolved. Their bodies changed, and they ultimately lost the ability to move on land. These creatures are now known as dorudons; they were aquatic mammals like dolphins.
Approximately 30 million years ago, squalodons inhabited our oceans. These toothed whales were not dolphins’ direct progenitors, but they did use echolocation. Dolphins use echolocation to navigate through deep water using sound waves. Echolocation is an essential trait shared by squalodons and dolphins.
Approximately 20 million years ago, during the Miocene period, echolocation evolved into its modern form. Aquatic creatures that are now known to be related to extinct dolphin-like creatures known as Kentriodontids had active echolocation systems and even travelled in schools like dolphins. Thus, these creatures have evolved over time to become the dolphins we know and adore today.
Due to poaching and hunting, dolphin populations are at risk of extinction. As a result of global warming and climate change, many dolphins are also dying. The 2009 American documentary film “Cove,” directed by National Geographic photographer Louie Psihoyos, shed light on the numerous atrocities associated with dolphin hunting in Japan. In 2010, the film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and helped raise awareness about the impact of dolphin hunting on their population.
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5 FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT DOLPHINS
There are 40 species of dolphins.
There are numerous species of dolphins, but the bottlenose dolphin is the most familiar to humans.
Dolphin calves are bonded to their mothers.
Dolphins may spend up to eight years with their mothers.
Dolphins are naturally compassionate
The dolphins care for and tend to their ill or injured pod members.
Dolphins travel in groups known as “pods.”
Due to their social character, dolphins swim in pods containing up to one thousand individuals.
Dolphins slumber lightly.
During slumber, only half of a dolphin’s brain rests, while the other half remains alert.
NATIONAL DOLPHIN DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 14 | Friday |
| 2024 | April 14 | Sunday |
| 2025 | April 14 | Monday |
| 2026 | April 14 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | April 14 | Wednesday |
