As we know, dolphins are mammals, a class of vertebrates characterized by having mammary glands that after breeding produce nutritious milk for nourishing the offspring, and this is one of the reasons why the young always stay close to their mother.

A baby is defenseless and does not have the strength or size needed to face some predators, another important reason why they do not separate from its mother and swim just beside her, following its movements and learning about their environment.

The bond between them makes the calf imitate and learn the behaviors and techniques for hunting from its mother and other members of the pod so that in the future he can survive alone and teach its offspring.

Dolphin calves are born after long gestation periods inside their mothers that range between 11 and 17 months according to the species.

Mothers deliver calves with the aid of another female dolphin who makes the role of a midwife.

Calves stay with their mothers for several years until they can survive by themselves.

After approximately six years, a time which also varies according to the species, young dolphins can hunt and protect themselves, so they leave their mothers and start an independent life.

This independent life sometimes means moving to another pod, but this is not a rule in all species as in some cases, just the females move to another group.