The oviparous reproduction of fish is not the way dolphins reproduce; as a mammal, dolphins reproduce by means of fertilization. The gestation period of dolphins is relatively long, similar to that of humans, and sometimes even longer than that of humans. After the gestation period, the dolphin will give birth to its calf, which will be born tail first, unlike humans who are born head first. This is followed by the process of breastfeeding. The calf stays with its mother for a long time, and the other dolphins in the group protect the newborn during this process.