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First off, dolphins are a species of their own, right?
Wrong; they are a diverse group of aquatic mammals.
Justhow many species of dolphins are there?
Moreover, dolphins fall into four extant families: Iniidae, Pontoporiidae, Delphinidae, and Platanistidae.
While some of the members of these families are pretty common, others are rare or even extinct.
Sounds confusing, right?
It doesnt have to be.
Today,we discuss 27 different types of dolphins, with a primary focus on the extant types.
Read on to master how to distinguish these incredible animals based on their features and distinct characteristics.
Table of Contents
What throw in of Animal Is a Dolphin, Exactly?
So, are dolphins a throw in of whale?
Of all aquatic mammals, dolphins are perhaps the most recognized.
These beautiful creatures are related to whales, although they have leaner bodies and elongated beaks with clever grins.
All dolphins are whales, but not all whales are dolphins!
What Are the Different Kinds of Dolphin?
Over the centuries, researchers have used different systems in an attempt to categorize dolphin species accurately.
In this post, we will classify different types of dolphins based on their habitats.
Related Reading:Types of Sharks Explained
There are two types of dolphins based on where they dwell.
They include:
Without further ado, lets take a look at the different types of dolphins!
21 Sea Dolphin Species
Oceanic dolphins dwell primarily in the sea.
Compared to river-dwelling types of dolphins, there are more oceanic cetaceans.
A good number of these mammals are extinct or remain poorly researched.
We will discuss the 21 most common oceanic dolphin species.
Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Lets begin with the most famous dolphin speciesthe common bottlenose dolphin.
The reason behind this is that they dwell in temperate and warm waters.
They use sound for hunting for food and communicating.
Like all dolphins, the orca is a whale.
(3175 kg).
Another unique fact is that killer whales are called whale killer.
Moreover, there are four subcategories of orcas that differ in size based on their habitat.
Different types of dolphins are inherently social and will travel in groups of 15-20 individuals.
These dolphins mainly dwell in the Drake Passage between South America and the Antarctic waters.
Again, this key in of dolphin is a social creature that roams in groups of 50100 individuals.
Scientists estimate the Atlantic spotted dolphins population to be at 77,000 worldwide.
While their estimated lifespan remains unknown, the dolphins reach sexual maturity at 8-15 years old.
Dusky Dolphin (Sagmatias obscurus)
Dusky dolphins are acrobatic and are best known for their jaw-dropping aerial behavior.
An aspect that distinguishes the dusky dolphin from most types of dolphins is that it doesnt have a beak.
Another unique feature is that its head slants evenly from the blowhole to the snouts tip.
The dusky dolphin is a close cousin of the Pacific White-Sided dolphin.
While the former dwells on North Islands western coast, the latter primarily lives in New Zealands coastal waters.
The Hectors dolphin is the rarest and smallest oceanic dolphin species worldwide.
(58 kg).
Hectors dolphins also have no discernible beak and a more rounded dorsal fin like the Dusky dolphin.
Unfortunately, there are only about 7,300 individuals left of this dolphin breed.
The dolphin breed is also called the long-snouted dolphin.
The term longirostris means long beak in Latin.
The Spinner dolphin primarily dwells indeep waterswhere it has a good chance of tracking prey.
you might find it in the Hawaiian subtropical waters, mainly in the deep offshore waters.
The dolphin breed reaches sexual maturity at seven years and has a 20-25 years life expectancy.
Some of the physical features that make the cetacean unique are the patches around the chin.
Moreover, it has no dorsal fin but has broad paddle-like flippers.
Mature Southern Right dolphins can range between 43- 56 feet in length and weigh a staggering 176,000 lbs.
(79,833 kg).
Another unique fact about the dolphin species is that it dwells along the Southern Hemisphere.
The dolphins move to low latitudes to find breeding grounds and migrate to high latitudes to find food.
They are close cousins of the short-finned pilot whales, and the two dolphin breeds are nearly indistinguishable.
Long-finned pilot whales are anti-tropical and favor sub-polar or deep temperate waters.
Depending on the habitat, males can live between 35 and 45.
The females, however, have a longer lifespan of up to 60 years.
Short-finned pilot whales have bulbous heads with no apparent rostrum.
Also, their dorsal fin has a more extended base and is positioned relatively forward on the body.
(58 kg).
The cetacean favors shallow waters and can be found around harbors and bays.
This dolphin breed is divided into two subspecies that dwell in the Kerguelen Islands and South Americas southern coast.
It doesnt help that they are easy to spot with their all-white bodies.
Long-Beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
The long-beaked dolphin has a sleek body measuring 6-8.5 feet long.
Adults can weigh anywhere between 160 lbs.
(72 kg) and 500 lbs.
(226 kg).
They have a considerably long rostrum (beak) with 47-67 fang-like teeth on either jaw.
Another distinct feature is the relatively long, triangular-shaped dorsal fin.
The cetaceans have an iconic hourglass pattern because of their dark backs and dull yellow hue on the sides.
While the bodies of juveniles have a muted shade, adults have a more extravagant complexion.
They favor cool to warm tropical waters and primarily dwell offshore.
The long and short-beaked dolphin breeds have significant differences in their size, features, and habitat preferences.
Moreover, these oceanic cetaceans are social creatures typically found in groups of nearly 100 individuals.
These high social dolphin species are energetic and acrobatic.
If youre lucky, you may just see them somersault in the air while navigating deep waters.
They can grow as long as 8.5 feet and weigh roughly 350 lbs.
(158 kg).
The long beak with a smooth slope from the forehead to the nib is among their unique physical attributes.
Moreover, these cetaceans have enormous flippers and an equally big dorsal fin.
This dolphin species gets its name from the appearance of its teeth.
They have deep ridges that somewhat look like a saw.
it’s possible for you to find the rough-toothed dolphins in pairs or groups of up to 20 individuals.
Another unique aspect is that, unlike most types of oceanic dolphins, this cetacean adapts well to captivity.
The cetacean is a hybrid between the spinner and striped dolphin.
Note that this dolphin species is the only one confirmed to have originated from hybridization.
Socially, the Clymene dolphin is curious and playful.
Groups of up to 150 individuals can swim up to aboator ship and bow-ride off the vessels fore.
Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin (Sousa chinensis)
The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin dwells primarily in southeastern Asia waters.
These cetaceans come in various color patterns, including white and pink-gray.
Im sure youre wondering why this dolphin breed is called a humpback.
Well, its because its dorsal fin sits on a hump-like, fatty structure.
Unfortunately, the oceanic mammal is an endangered dolphin species, its main threats being human disturbance and pollution.
Again, its main threats are human interference and pollution.
This fascinating oceanic creature dwells in multiple separate areas across coastal southeastern Asia.
The Irrawaddy dolphin is a euryhaline species and can move between fresh and saltwater.
While it can dwell in rivers, it is not a true river dolphin and favors oceanic waters.
Moreover, it has a blunt snout and a high forehead.
As expected, it gets its name melon-headed from the shape of its head-large and round.
Peales Dolphin (Sagmatias australis)
The Peales dolphin also goes by the name black-chinned dolphin.
It is a small oceanic cetacean that dwells mainly in southern South Americas Tierra del Fuego.
From a distance, its easy to mistake this dolphin species for the dusky dolphin.
Occasionally, the smaller pods join a larger group of about 100 individuals to socialize and find credible mates.
Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)
Lastly, we have the striped dolphin.
Its among the types of dolphins found in just about all oceans worldwide.
These dolphins, too, have tight social structures and often form cohesive hunting groups of 25 100 individuals.
Its most outstanding physical attribute is the two white stripes that separate the back and underside.
6 River Dolphin Species
The majority of types of dolphins live in oceans.
However, six dolphin species have made some of thelargest rivers globallytheir home.
These mammals inhabit the Indus, Amazon, and Ganges rivers.
It is one of the most endangered dolphin species, with only 3,500 left.
Because the Ganges river dolphin is at threat of extinction, it is a protected animal in India.
Hunting the dolphin for exotic cuisines or keeping it in captivity is illegal unless for rehabilitation or research purposes.
The aquatic mammal is a close relative to the Ganges River dolphin and is also called the susu.
Indus river dolphins are found only in the Indus River Basin.
However, like Ganges River dolphins, these aquatic mammals are also endangered by pollution and habitat degradation.
Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)
The Amazon River dolphin is the largest jot down of river dolphin.
A full-grown Inia geoffrensis can weigh as much as 400 lbs.
(185 kg).
Nevertheless, they are still at risk because of contamination and human activities.
Studies are still undergoing to understand this dolphin species better, although there are a few verified facts.
For instance, the aquatic mammal primarily lives in Brazils AraguaiaTocantins River Basin.
While it resembles the Amazon River dolphin, it has a unique DNA structure that makes it unique.
Moreover, the Araguaia river dolphins in the wild are only about 1,500.
They are grayish-pink and have a body length that ranges between 5 and 8.5 feet (1.532.6m).
The dolphins love riding solo, although you’re able to occasionally find them in groups.
While many argue that they mingle with the Amazon and Bolivian river dolphins, they dont.
Instead, they remain in separate habitats because of the extensive series of rapids in the water.
Bolivian river dolphins have a population of fewer than 25,000 individuals.
Compared to other freshwater dolphins, this dolphin species is pretty unique because of its facial structure.
It resembles the bottlenose dolphin but has a much smaller frame.
Tucuxi dolphins are close relatives of the costero dolphin.
Mature adults can weigh over 120 pounds and grow as long as 6 feet.
Yet, research shows that the tucuxi community contains no more than 30,000 individuals.
How Smart Are Dolphins?
Dolphins are best known for their intelligence,social interactions, and complex problem-solving skills.
But, contrary to popular belief, they are not more intelligent than humans.
The best part is that the learned dolphin can pass the knowledge mastered to its friends and relatives.
Apart from their social and emotional intelligence, dolphins are also acutely self-aware.
Unlike most animals, they can recognize themselves in a mirror.
Moreover, these creatures can communicate, use tools, and researchers claim they are humans cognitive cousins.
Final Thoughts on the Different Types of Dolphins
The world of dolphins is simply fascinating.
We hope you find this guide helpful and informative.
Feel free to drop a comment if you feel theres something we left out.
