Oceanic dolphin (original) (raw)

Oceanic Dolphins
Dusky Dolphins
Scientific Classification
Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Chordata Class:Mammalia Order:Cetacea Family:Delphinidae
Genera
PeponocephalaOrcinusFeresaPseudoorca GlobicephalaDelphinusLissiodelphisSotalia SousaStenellaStenoTursiopsCephalorhyncus GrampusLagenodelphisLagenorhyncus Orcaella

Oceanic dolphins are the members of the Cetacean family Delphinidae. These aquatic mammals are related to the whales and porpoises.

As the name implies, these dolphins tend to be found in the open seas, unlike the river dolphins, although a few species are coastal or riverine like the Irrawaddy Dolphin.

Six of the larger species in the Delphinidae, the Killer Whale and its relatives, are named as whales, rather than dolphins. These are sometimes collectively known as "blackfish''.

The Delphinidae vary in size from 1.2 metres and 40 kg (Heaviside's Dolphin), up to 7 metres and 4.5 tonnes (the Killer Whale). Most species weigh between about 50 and about 200 kg. They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and all are carnivores, mostly taking fish and squid.

Taxonomy