At Dolphins & You, we believe there’s a special connection between humans and dolphins—so much so that we named our tour after it! This bond has been talked about for thousands of years, from ancient artwork in 1500 B.C. to Aristotle’s writings about dolphin intelligence.
But what makes dolphins and humans so alike? It turns out, we share a lot more in common than you might think! From social bonds to intelligence, here are five fascinating ways dolphins are just like us—and a few surprising differences too.
1. Dolphins and Humans Are Both Mammals
Dolphins may live in the ocean, but they are mammals just like us! That means:
They give live birth They nurse their young They have warm blood And yes—they even have belly buttons!
Unlike fish, dolphins must come to the surface to breathe. Instead of gills, they have a blowhole on top of their heads, which acts like a nose. And just like humans, dolphins need fresh water to survive—though they get it from the fish they eat.
2. Dolphins Have Big Brains—Even Bigger Than Ours!
Dolphins and whales have the largest brains in the ocean—even bigger than humans! While scientists are still uncovering what makes dolphin intelligence so unique, we do know they have some truly human-like abilities:
They recognize themselves in mirrors (a sign of self-awareness!)
They communicate using clicks, whistles, and squeaks
They solve problems and even use tools
Dolphins also have special brain cells associated with emotions, memory, and social interactions—just like humans. This could explain why many people feel an emotional connection when they make eye contact with a dolphin in the wild!
3. Dolphins Live in Tight-Knit Social Groups
Just like humans form families and friendships, dolphins live in pods that function like tight-knit communities. Within these pods:
Dolphins form friendships and cliques
They use unique sounds—almost like names—to identify each other
They even have disagreements and conflicts
Dolphins are incredibly social and rely on each other for protection, hunting, and play. If you ever see a pod of dolphins swimming together, you’re witnessing a complex society in action!
4. Dolphins Have “Super Senses” Unlike Any Human
While dolphins and humans share a lot of similarities, they also have some superpowers that set them apart:
Echolocation – Dolphins can “see” with sound, kind of like x-ray vision!
360° Vision – Their eyes move independently, so they can look in two directions at once.
Half-Brain Sleep – Dolphins never fully sleep; they rest one brain hemisphere at a time so they can keep breathing!
Imagine if humans could do that! 
5. Dolphins Show Emotion—Just Like We Do
One of the most amazing things about dolphins is their ability to express emotions like joy, grief, and empathy. Scientists have observed dolphins:
Comforting distressed members of their pod
Playing and leaping for fun
Mourning lost companions
While dolphins don’t have facial expressions like humans, they use body language and sounds to communicate their feelings. That’s why so many people say that a dolphin encounter feels deeply personal and meaningful.
See the Similarities for Yourself!
The best way to appreciate how intelligent, social, and playful dolphins are? See them in person!
Join us at Dolphins & You for a once-in-a-lifetime experience swimming alongside wild dolphins in their natural habitat. Witness their intelligence and social bonds firsthand—who knows, you might just feel them “talk” to you!
Can’t join the tour but still want to learn more?
For a deeper understanding of dolphins, we recommend Voices in the Ocean by Susan Casey, a captivating book that explores dolphin intelligence and their special connection with humans.
