Dolphins
Common dolphin
See all species Previously considered as one species, in 1994 the common dolphin was separated into short and long-beak varieties. However, advances in science suggest the initial classification was correct and the common dolphin is in fact one species (with four sub-species), which shows considerable variation through its large range. Other names: Criss-cross dolphin; White-bellied…
Read MoreIndus river dolphin
See all species The Indus River dolphin lives in the Indus river basin of Pakistan and India. Unfortunately, there are currently less than two thousand of these endangered dolphins left in the world. However, there have been some promising signs of increasing numbers, which can be attributed to better protection measures in Pakistan. Other names:…
Read MoreRough-toothed dolphin
See all species Rough-toothed dolphins are named after their peculiar teeth. Each tooth is ridged or wrinkled and has scratch marks on the surface. Rough-toothed dolphins have a distinctive appearance; they look like primitive dolphins; almost reptilian. Other names: slopehead; steno Male Female Calf Maximum length 2.8m 2.65m 1.0m Maximum weight 155kg 155kgkg Unknown IUCN…
Read MoreSouthern right whale dolphin
See all species These beautifully marked dolphins share a distinctive common feature with their northern cousins in having no dorsal fin. This is one of the least well-known species of dolphin, in part due to its preference for deep, oceanic waters and its distribution throughout the cool temperate sub-Antarctic waters of the southern hemisphere. Other…
Read MoreNorthern right whale dolphin
See all species Northern right whale dolphins are named after right whales for the simple reason that like their larger, whale namesakes, they also do not have a dorsal fin. Northern right whale dolphins are known for their distinctive black and white colour pattern and their dark, smooth, shiny backs. At sea, they are sometimes…
Read MoreHeaviside’s dolphin
See all species Heaviside’s dolphins are found in a limited section of African coastal waters. They have striking black, grey and white markings and are sometimes mistaken for baby orcas when spotted at sea. They were originally discovered off the South African coast by Captain Haviside and so are sometimes known as their original-intended name,…
Read MoreAtlantic white-sided dolphin
See all species Atlantic-white sided dolphins are a sociable species, often coming together to form large pods containing hundreds or thousands of dolphins. They will also sometimes be seen in the company of other species, including much larger baleen whales. Other names: Atlantic white-sided porpoise, Lag, Springer, Jumper Male Female Calf Maximum length 2.8m 2.5m…
Read MoreShort-finned pilot whale
See all species Short-finned pilot whales have been nicknamed as the “cheetahs of the deep sea” for their deep, high-speed, sprint-dives to chase and capture large squid. Pilot whales are extraordinarily social; their strong bonds motivate them to stick together through thick and thin, even when that means putting themselves at risk. Other names: pothead…
Read MoreLong-finned pilot whale
See all species Long-finned pilots whales do indeed have very long flippers! However, the ‘pilot’ part of their name comes from an old theory that each pod is piloted by a single leader. We now know this is not the case, but the name has stuck. Pilot whales are actually large dolphins; they are the…
Read MoreFraser’s dolphin
See all species Fraser’s dolphins were first identified from a mislabelled skeleton in 1956 and only ‘rediscovered’ in the wild in the 1970s. First identified by Francis Charles Fraser following the examination of a mislabelled dolphin skeleton in the British Museum, the stunning Fraser’s dolphins were lost to science until the early 1970s. Other names:…
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