Dolphins

These four companion books take a dramatic look at our watery planet. People like dolphins. Their perpetual smile, apparent kindliness, and intelligence said to rival humans have endeared them to people who meet them or see them in dolphinaria, movies, or on television. Modern research, however, reveals that dolphins are not always what they seem. As well as the caring, friendly side to their nature, they can be aggressive, dangerous, and have been known to kill humans, albeit in self-defense. Dolphins looks at current research and reflects the scientific community's fascination with a large-brained creature exhibiting behavior that can only be described as "intelligent." Chapter one reveals not just one "dolphin" but over 30 species, each with its own lifestyle and place in the world's oceans.