Dolphins are incredible swimmers! They can swim up to 20 miles per hour, which is faster than most boats. Their smooth, rubbery skin and streamlined body shape help them glide through the water with ease.
Dolphins breathe air, just like humans. They must come to the surface to breathe through a blowhole on top of their head. A dolphin can hold its breath for about 8 to 10 minutes while diving deep underwater to catch fish.
One amazing swimming trick dolphins do is called "porpoising." They leap out of the water while swimming fast because it actually helps them move faster—jumping through air takes less energy than pushing through water!
Scientists believe dolphins are some of the smartest animals on Earth! They can learn tricks, solve problems, and even recognize themselves in mirrors—something very few animals can do.
Dolphins live in groups called pods and love being around other dolphins. They communicate with each other using clicks, whistles, and body movements. Each dolphin has its own special whistle, almost like a name!
Dolphins also show kindness to each other. When one dolphin is sick or hurt, others will help it swim to the surface to breathe. They have even been known to protect humans from sharks! These social, caring behaviors show just how intelligent dolphins truly are.
Recycling is one of the most important things you can do to help our planet! When we recycle, we turn old materials into new products instead of throwing them away. This keeps trash out of landfills, which are huge areas where garbage piles up.
Recycling also saves natural resources. For example, recycling paper means we don't have to cut down as many trees. Recycling aluminum cans saves the energy needed to mine new metal from the earth.
Everyone can make a difference! Start by learning what can be recycled in your community—usually paper, plastic, glass, and metal. Then make sure to put these items in the recycling bin instead of the trash.
Have you ever wondered what happens to your recycling after you put it in the bin? First, trucks collect recyclables from homes and businesses. These materials are taken to a facility called a Materials Recovery Facility, or MRF (pronounced "murf").
At the MRF, workers and machines sort the materials by type. Paper goes in one pile, plastic in another, and so on. Magnets pull out metal cans. Special machines blow lightweight plastics into separate areas.
After sorting, the materials are cleaned and pressed into large bundles called bales. These bales are sold to factories that turn them into new products. Your old plastic bottle might become a new park bench, and your newspaper might become new cardboard boxes!