Observed annually on April 14th, National Dolphin Day is a holiday that recognizes and appreciates one of the most remarkable marine mammals to swim in the world’s oceans. Dolphins are amazing animals that are not only intelligent but also very social and have both astute hearing and eyesight. So why not take some time out of your day on this day in April and show these animals a little bit of love? These are animals that everyone can appreciate and enjoy.

The History of National Dolphin Day

Although we’re not positive about when this holiday was officially proposed, we do know that it was started by the American Veterinary Medical Association and is listed in their Pet Health Awareness Events.

Cool Facts About Dolphins

We could spend the whole day discussing all the things about dolphins that are fascinating. These really are interesting and amazing creatures. However, since we don’t have that much space available, we’ll instead list some of the most interesting facts about them. Below are some of the things that we thought were cool about dolphins:

• There are 42 different species of dolphins.
• There are 7 different species of porpoises.
• Dolphins are mammals, so they have to surface to breathe air, and they give birth to live young.
• A dolphin’s pregnancy lasts anywhere from 9 to 16 months.
• A dolphin calf can nurse for up to 2 years and can stay with its mother for up to 8 years.
• Dolphins have conical-shaped teeth.
• Depending on the species, dolphins can live anywhere from 20 to 80 years.
• The diet of dolphins consists of crustaceans, fish, and squid.
• The largest dolphin is the Orca—otherwise known as the killer whale.
• The Amazon River has different species of river dolphins.
• Dolphins range in size from 4 feet all the way up to 30 feet.
• Male dolphins are known as bulls, and female dolphins are known as cows.
• A group of dolphins is known as a pod or a school.
• Dolphin pods come in a variety of sizes—some of them as large as 1,000 dolphins.
• Dolphins use echolocation to navigate the ocean.
• Dolphins can put one half of their brain to sleep so they can literally sleep with one eye open.

Observing National Dolphin Day

National Dolphin Day can be observed by spending some time learning about dolphins. You can learn about them by reading a book or watching a documentary. People who want to observe this holiday can also share pictures or anecdotes about these mammals on social media using the hashtag #NationalDolphinDay. Schools can also spend the day teaching their students about dolphins, including the lifespan of dolphins, what they eat, and how long they live.