Dolphin news, features and articles
Members of the dolphin family are among the most recognizable animals in our ocean, be they cute bottlenose dolphins or mighty orcas. Stories about the weird reason dolphins drink each other's pee, how dolphins taught each other to moonwalk and an extremely rare albino dolphin sighting are just part of what we have to offer. If you want to learn more about these captivating cetaceans, then trust Live Science's expert writers and editors to deliver the latest news, features and articles about dolphins.
Explore Dolphins
Latest about Dolphins
Sexually frustrated dolphin behind spate of attacks on humans off Japan
By Patrick Pester published
A stock image of an Indo-Pacific dolphin swimming (not the individual responsible for the recent attacks).
Boat-ramming orcas may be using yachts as target practice toys, scientists suggest
By Melissa Hobson published
Orcas off the coasts of Spain and Portugal may be using boats as targets to practice hunting their favorite food, Atlantic bluefin tuna.
2 young orcas ram sailboat off northern France — 800 miles from 'attack' hotspot
By Sascha Pare published
Coastguards had to tow a 40-foot-long sailboat back to port after two young orcas severely damaged the boat's rudder near Guilvinec in the French region of Brittany.
Entire pod of 89 pilot whales dies on Scottish beach in freak mass stranding
By Sascha Pare published
Dozens of long-finned pilot whales have beached and died on Sanday in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, in the biggest mass stranding the country has seen since 1995.
Orcas are eating sharks in the Gulf of California — and it may be happening more than we think, experts say
By Melissa Hobson published
Records of orcas hunting sharks in the Gulf of California are on the rise, as experts say we may have underestimated how much this happens.
Pink dolphins spotted with baby from completely different species in 'mystery' encounter
By Patrick Pester published
Researchers snapped a photo of a baby Irrawaddy dolphin in a group of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins swimming off the coast of Cambodia.
Orcas 'attacking' boats are actually just bored teenagers having fun, experts say
By Sascha Pare published
Orcas off the coast of Iberia are spending less time hunting and more time exploring new games thanks to the recent recovery of their favorite prey, Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Orcas have attacked and sunk another boat in Europe — and experts warn there could be more attacks soon
By Harry Baker published
A group of orcas known to attack boats in southwest Europe have sunk a 50-foot sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar after ripping open its hull. It is the fifth time these killer whales have sent a ship to the seafloor in the last three years.
Infamous boat-sinking orcas spotted hundreds of miles from where they should be, baffling scientists
By Harry Baker published
Orcas that attack and sink boats in southwestern Europe have been spotted circling a vessel in Spain, hundreds of miles from where they should currently be. And scientists can't explain why.
Orca calf refuses to leave a lagoon where its mother stranded and died off Vancouver Island
By Sascha Pare published
Rescuers have been trying to coax a 2-year-old orca from a lagoon off Vancouver Island and back to the ocean for five days, but they only have a 30-minute window every day when waters are high.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.