Aquariums, oceans or water parks ... no matter where you encounter dolphins, you will always amaze your friends with these "fin"-tastic factoids:

• In places with a high abundance of food, pods (or groups) can join temporarily, forming a superpod that can include more than 1000 dolphins.
• A dolphin’s body is designed for fast swimming; they can reach up to 21 miles per hour for short periods of time.
• A dolphin’s head contains the melon, a round organ used for echolocation.
• The word "Dolphin" is Ancient Greek meaning “a fish with a womb”
• Dolphins lack an olfactory nerve and thus have no sense of smell, but they can taste and do show preferences for certain kinds of fish.
• Fish Whacking is one of the dolphin's hunting methods. This happens when the dolphin uses its fluke (or long nose) to strike a fish, stunning it and sometimes sending it flying out of the water.

Source: Wikipedia

Photo by Joyce Belloise

TIPS ON HELPING A STRANDED DOLPHIN:

• Carefully walk up the animal and determine that it is indeed need of help
• Call for help. A network of experts called the United States Marine Mammal Stranding Network has been established for these situations. Call the nearest representative in your area. You can also call the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-FWCC.
• When speaking with a representative describe the animal’s size and number of individuals involved. A description of the animal’s color pattern and physical characteristics is also helpful.
• Stabilize the dolphin by holding it upright so that its blowhole is above water
• Do not push stranded dolphins back to sea
• Make the dolphin more comfortable by digging holes in the sand for its front flippers
• While waiting for help protect the dolphin from overheating and sunburn by keeping the animal wet.
• Avoid getting water into the blowhole when the dolphin breathes
• Provide shade

Source: Mote Marine Laboratories