Cyberfolk
Friendly Guided Web Site Tours
Whales and dolphins are such fascinating creatures because, like
humans, they are mammals but, unlike humans, they make their home in the
sea. Although you can find information on these half-human/half-fish
creatures many places on the Internet, the following websites are just a
sampling of many more still out there waiting for you to find them:
What big kid doesn't have fond memories of Flipper, the performing
dolphin, dancing across the waves? Or who hasn't heard of that gentle
giant, Shamu, the whale, who has entertained millions of visitors at theme
parks across the country? Of course, Free Willy, the inspiring movie about
a whale in captivity, still warms millions of viewers' hearts.
Of course, SeaWorld, owned by Anheuser-Busch, is a theme park devoted to sea loving creatures such as whales and dolphins. The website, which is broken down into four sections, representing the different locations of the U.S.A.-based parks including Florida, California, Ohio, and Texas, tells more about each individual park's hours, attractions, etc.
If you've never been to the real SeaWorld or seen the playful whale, Shamu, this is a good alternative to learn more about some of the sea's most interesting and wonderful creatures, including dolphins and whales.
The Whale Club is a fun place for the kids to visit as well as adults (who all have a kid inside of us somewhere)! Although the club is named "The Whale Club," this site actually caters to all marine mammals. Dolphins, whales, and the mammal-facing-extinction, the manatee, are all discussed here.
Broken down into easy-to-follow sections such as Dolphin Assisted Therapy, Marine Mammal Multimedia, The Arts, Marine Mammal Chat, Movies, Education and Reference, Encounters, and much more, this website will give you hours of fascinating information about these special sea creatures. A special section just for kids, including an online coloring book, is merely an added bonus!
(A Course of Study)
For a more "scientific" look at the world of marine animals, visit Hawaii's Marine Wildlife: Whales, Dolphins, Turtles, and Seals (A Course of Study) homepage. Written for Earthtrust and the Hawaii State Department of Education, this is an in-depth study of whales, dolphins and other marine animals. This site will explain how the ecosystem works, human impact and responsibility, Hawaiian Perspectives of the Ocean and, finally, suggested activities for the teacher utilizing this curriculum as a teaching tool.
A fascinating section on Humpback Whales is especially informative. To learn more about any of the aforementioned marine animals, this site is a good place to start.
This is another site that only mentions "whales" in the title, but is actually devoted to other marine life, including dolphins, as well. Known as Cetaceans, whales and dolphins are mammals that spend their entire lives in the ocean.
As with The Whale Club site, this page is also very "kid-friendly," and offers many activities and information to be enjoyed by the entire family. Such sections as Kids Care, Whale Watching, Alerts, Whale FAQ, and Defender Awards highlight this educational site that is a must-see for all mammal lovers and admirers.
A non-profit institution in Sydney, Australia, The Dolphin Society is the champion of the helpless sea-loving mammal, the dolphin. With so much information packed on to this page, it would seem to be almost overwhelming -- but it's not! It is obvious, just by browsing through this site, that these people aren't just a society formed to fight for better laws; they genuinely care and love the animals they're protecting! The neatest thing about this site, however, is the chance (well, the next time you're in Sydney) to go out on the Society's yacht, the Sirius, and meet the dolphins of Port Stephens. Could you imagine a more splendid manner to spend a day?
The World Wildlife Fund, according to their decree, is dedicated to saving life on Earth, through the conservation of nature and ecological processes. Conserving biological diversity -- saving the wealth of large and small pieces that make up our natural world -- is essential for ensuring a livable future for humans and all species.
Their Canadian website has a descriptive and easy-to-follow fact sheet on whales, including some of the different types. Also, there's further reading on the wonderful organization, the International World Wildlife Fund, which is something every person should contemplate supporting. It's an extraordinary cause for this planet's wildlife -- including the remarkable sea creatures -- whales and dolphins.