Types of Dolphins

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By Angela Harris


Keiki Dolphin - One of the Types of Dolphins

How Many Types of Dolphins?

When most people think of dolphins, the bottlenose dolphin usually comes to mind. But an interesting fact is that there are over 45 types of dolphins. Dolphins can be found all over the globe.

All types of dolphins are categorized as Cetaceans, along with whales. The types of dolphins can be divided into marine dolphins and river dolphins. The saltwater types of dolphins are subdivided into 17 genera and river types of dolphins have four genera.

Bet You Didn't Know That This Is a Type of Dolphin

One of the types of dolphins is actually the killer whale. Yes, that is correct. The killer whale is technically a dolphin. There are six animals that are types of dolphins, but known as whales. They are also called blackfish. These types of dolphins are the Killer Whale, Pygmy Killer Whale, False Killer Whale, Long-finned Pilot Whale, Short-finned Pilot Whale, and Melon-headed Whale.

Appearance of Different Types of Dolphins

The different types of dolphins vary in appearance. Dolphins can be dark or light gray or a brownish color. Dolphins come in many sizes. Dolphins range in size from about four feet in length up to about 20 feet long. Dolphins can weigh about 70 pounds up to five tons.

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Playful Dolphin

Facts About Dolphins

All types of dolphins are carnivores. Dolphins are predators and eat live food. The dolphin diet consists mostly of fish and shellfish. Dolphins average over 50 pounds of fish a day.

Dolphins are not fish. All types of dolphins are mammals, just like humans. Dolphins are warm-blooded, give birth to babies, and have a small amount of hair on their bodies. These traits help classify dolphins as mammals.

Which Types of Dolpins Are in Danger?

There are two types of marine dolphins that are at risk of possible becoming extinct. They are the Pink Dolphin and Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin. Both of these types of dolphins can be found off the coasts of Asia. There are also two types of river dolphins that are in danger- the Yangtze River dolphin and the Indus River dolphin.

Types of Dolphins Comments

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elisabeth reid profile image

elisabeth reid  says:
2 years ago

Is there anything being done to protect the endangeres types? They all seem to be Asian-pacific...I truly hope that there are people out there doing what can be done to preserve these species.

Nice hub...whetted my appetite for more.

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes  says:
2 years ago

I love the dolphins, No I didnt know about the whale being a dolphin very interesting thanx for sharing that

C.S.Alexis profile image

C.S.Alexis  says:
2 years ago

Angela, I think of "Flipper" when I think of Dolphins. There is something very magical about these creatures for me. Did NOT know that the Killer Whales were a part of this family. Thanks for the info.

monitor profile image

monitor  says:
2 years ago

These guys are cool. We get them out in front of the boat somedays.

Mon.

robie2 profile image

robie2  says:
2 years ago

Who knew there were so many different kinds of dolphins.....and that Keiko was actually a dolphin too. Great info:-)

recoveringredneck profile image

recoveringredneck  says:
2 years ago

Dolphins are such beautiful creatures so graceful and very intelligent. Thanks for the info.

cgull8m profile image

cgull8m  says:
2 years ago

Great Hub Angela, I read recently that dolphins woo their mates with rocks and sticks :) Very interesting behavior from them. http://tinyurl.com/3chctm

raymondphilippe profile image

raymondphilippe  says:
2 years ago

I love to watch dolphins and like dolphin hangers etcetera.

And jour hub of course ;-)

Angela Harris profile image

Angela Harris  says:
2 years ago

Elisabeth, yes, there are agencies that are working to protect endangered dolphins, especially ones in the Pacific. They try to rescue dolphins and provide safe habitats for them.Eileen, C.S., mon, robie2, recoveringredneck, thanks for the comments. I'm glad to know that there are many fellow hubbers that also love dolphins.cgull8m, thanks for the dolphins link! That is so cool. Dolphins are very intelligent creatures. Some experts claim that dolphin intelligence ranks right up there with humans. After all, we are wooed with rocks as well. I have proof on my finger. ;)Thanks, raymondphillippe!

Raiquaza  says:
2 years ago

It's really fun watching dolphin do their "own olymics"... So please, don't let anybody distreat these marvelous, cute, and acrobatic dolphins, thanks (in advance)....

Dolphin Lover  says:
2 years ago

Dolphins, dolphins, dolphins... When I think of that word, I remember their acrobatness, and playfulness... I want to have a Dolphin pet!!! I wish someone will give ANY dolphins- pillows, figurines, Dolphin Rubic's, displays, huggies- I just wanna have dolphin(s)... Please take care of our Dolphins in the World... They look like huggies to me, hmmmmm!!! Thank you very much--arigatu guzeymasu...;-)

Bear  says:
2 years ago

There's only ONE who created these wonderfulful and marvelous dolphins- it,s God, our most creative Creator... So take care of the dolphins...

hope  says:
2 years ago

i luv this site.

Om Paramapoonya profile image

Om Paramapoonya  says:
2 years ago

Nice hub, Angela. I love dolphins and whales and all kinds of sea creatures. But my favorite kind is wholphin (bottle nose dolphin + false killer whale). You can see them at Sea Life Park, Hawaii :-)

ali  says:
18 months ago

i hate an love tis site

we  says:
14 months ago

i never new that dolphins are friendly. i thought they can bite

bicthnes  says:
13 months ago

Dolphins are such beautiful creatures so graceful and thank u.........

bicthnes  says:
13 months ago

Dolphins are such beautiful creatures so graceful and thank u.........

Christa  says:
12 months ago

are there really a type of dolphin called playful dolphin

lousey  says:
12 months ago

what type dolphin are there tell me

Madison and Travis  says:
11 months ago

what kind of dolphin is that pink one

amber  says:
10 months ago

i think this is great reaserch but it would be better if they had a chart of the kinds of dolpins and a intresting fact for each one that would really help alot with my reasherch

mora  says:
9 months ago

nicedolphins i love them so much

mora  says:
9 months ago

do you have more kinds of dolphins

mora  says:
9 months ago

do you have more kinds of dolphins

mora  says:
9 months ago

do you have more kinds of dolphins

cristal  says:
9 months ago

Dolphins are the coolest mammals on the earth!

joel  says:
9 months ago

hi i like waffles and ham !!! FETIS!!!

Cristal  says:
9 months ago

I love DOLPHINSZ especially the PINK dolphins!!!

chrissy  says:
8 months ago

I love dolphins soooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dalinda  says:
8 months ago

lookig for the miniture dolphins that only get 2 to 12 in long but looks like a real bottle nosed dolphin

shayla  says:
8 months ago

i think that people should be careful where they put there fishing nets. dolphins are dying because of that.

Diana  says:
8 months ago

I feel the same way every one else does,I really feel bad for the endangered dolphins!:(

Stacy  says:
8 months ago

Dolphins are so freakin awesome

Miss Kitty  says:
7 months ago

Dolphins are like sooooooooooooooooooooo totally cool. My best friend thinks their so totally cool. Rock on!

nana  says:
7 months ago

mcooooooooooooo,,,,lllllllllllllllllllllll

nia  says:
7 months ago

this is very cool

nia  says:
7 months ago

this is very cool

lane marie   says:
7 months ago

i lovvvvvve the bottle nose it is my fave what about uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu?

katelyn  says:
7 months ago

thay are sooooo cuite i want to keep alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of them

trixie  says:
6 months ago

i loove all dolphins but i defenetly did not know a killer whale was a type of dolphin that is so cool!im doing a project about dolphins and i am so putting that fact in my folder!and of course they are all socute i wish i could cuddle one or even stroke one!

nicole  says:
6 months ago

i am doing a project and i need info about something that starts with the letter n

harleigh  says:
5 months ago

dolphins are mygestic creatures

chelsea  says:
2 months ago

what is being done to help stop dolphins becoming extinct?

i never knew that some whales are types of dolphins!!! This info will be brill for a project that i am doing!!!

annannamiss  says:
4 weeks ago

i love dolphins there so beautifull and i want to be a dolphin trainer.

jamin  says:
4 days ago

my farvorate dolphin is the killerwhale

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