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Dolphins

cwf-fcf.org > English > Resources > ... > Whales, Dolphins & Porpoises > Dolphins
  • Mammals
  • Marine

Atlantic White-sided Dolphin

atlantic white-sided dolphin
  • 2.4-2.8 metres in length.
  • 180-230 kilograms in weight.
  • Found in the North Atlantic Ocean.
  • Robust and sleek body shape.
  • Black back, grey stripes along flanks, white underside, white patch below fin, and tan or yellowish patch on tail.
  • Short, thick beak.
  • Tall and curved dorsal fin.

Common Dolphin

common dolphin
  • 1.7-2.4 metres in length.
  • Seven to 110 kilograms in weight.
  • Found in tropical to warm-temperate waters.
  • Slender and streamlined body.
  • Long pointed beak and black eye mask.
  • Large dorsal fin.
  • Hourglass pattern on sides, tan or yellow patch forward of dorsal fin, and grey towards rear.
  • Black back with V-shaped saddle below dorsal fin.

Killer Whale

killer whale
  • Up to 10 metres in length.
  • Up to 11 tons in weight.
  • Found in all oceans from tropical (in lower densities) to polar oceans.
  • Mainly black bodied with white bellies and oval white patch behind each eye, and grey saddle patch behind the dorsal fin.
  • Tall pointed dorsal fin at midpoint. In males it is tall and straight, while females and juveniles have a curved fin.
  • The shape of the dorsal fin and saddle patch, as well as any scars, allow researchers to differentiate between individual killer whales.

Pacific White-sided Dolphin

pacific white-sided dolphin
  • Up to 2.5 metres in length.
  • Up to 180 kilograms in weight.
  • Found in the North Pacific Ocean.
  • Black back, light grey flanks, white belly and two grey stripes along the length of the body.
  • Sleek, tapered body.
  • Short beak with black lips.
  • Black and grey dorsal fin that is tall and curved.

Pilot Whale

pilot whale
  • Four to 6.5 metres in length.
  • 1.8-3.5 tons in weight.
  • Found in tropical waters to sub-tropical waters of the world, and temperate waters.
  • Robust body with bulbous head and no beak.
  • Wide-rounded dorsal fin.
  • Black body with anchor-shaped white patch on throat and lighter markings on belly.

Risso’s Dolphin

rissos dolphin
  • Up to four metres in length.
  • Up to 500 kilograms in weight.
  • Found from the tropics to sub-polar regions.
  • Body is grey/brown to white in colour and are usually heavily scarred.
  • Blunt, rounded head with no beak.
  • Tall dorsal fin that is slightly curved.

Striped Dolphin

striped dolphin
  • 1.8-2.5 metres in length.
  • 90-150 kilograms in weight.
  • Found in tropical to warm-temperate waters.
  • Long prominent beak.
  • Tall pointed tip dorsal fin.
  • Grey body with light grey patch from above eye to dorsal fin, two stripes from eyes to flipper and eye to anus along body sides, and white underside.

White-Beaked Dolphin

  • 2.5 to three metres in length.
  • 180-275 kilograms.
  • Found in the North Atlantic Ocean.
  • White, grey and black body with white stripe on sides.
  • Short, thick beak.
  • Tall dorsal fin with broad base.
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