Types of Dolphins
There are two major types of dolphins: oceanic dolphins and river dolphins. Within each of these groups there are thought to be around 40 different dolphin species. Of course some dolphin species are more well-known than others, with the most common type of dolphin being the bottlenose dolphin.
Types of Dolphins - Oceanic Dolphins
Oceanic dolphins are also called true dolphins, because these are the species that live in salt water and behave like the common dolphin. The bottlenose dolphin is probably the most well-known species of dolphin, with the long beak and smiling face we usually associate with dolphins.
A few other species of oceanic dolphin include:
• Atlantic White-sided Dolphin
• Commerson's Dolphin, a distinctive black and white dolphin species
• Common Dolphin, Long-beaked and Short-beaked
• Humpbacked Dolphin, Atlantic and Indo-Pacific
• Rightwhale Dolphin, both Northern and Southern
• Spinner Dolphin
• Spotted Dolphin, Atlantic and Pantropical
• Striped Dolphin
• Tucuxi, similar in appearance to the bottlenose dolphin but dwelling in and near rivers.
There are some oceanic dolphin species that are actually called whales, even though they really are dolphins, including the killer whale. Yes, the most recognized of all whales is actually a dolphin. Killer whales have starred in movies and are popular in marine theme parks like SeaWorld. They are bold black and white and are one of the largest types of dolphins.
Other whales that are really dolphins:
• False Killer Whale, so named because it resembles the killer whale but only from afar.
• Long-finned Pilot Whale
• Melon-headed Whale
• Pygmy Killer Whale
• Short-finned Pilot Whale
Types of Dolphins - River Dolphins
River dolphins are less common than oceanic dolphins and are found in specific geographical areas, where they live in large freshwater rivers and their tributaries. The Amazon River dolphin, also called Boto, is the largest river dolphin. It makes its home throughout the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers.
Most river dolphins are endangered, and one species - the Yangtze River dolphin, also known as Baiji, is thought to already by extinct. This dolphin, which is native to the waters around Hong Kong, has not been seen in the wild for several years so researchers fear the worst. This is more than likely due to the destruction of its natural habitat.
The Ganges and Indus River dolphins are native to freshwater rivers found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Both of these species of dolphin are endangered due to human interference - including commercial fishing and pollution along the waterways in which they dwell.
The La Plata dolphin, or Franciscana, lives around the southeastern tip of South America. They are an unusual species of dolphin in that they are classified as a river dolphin, but actually live in coastal saltwater environments as well as freshwater.
There are probably more types of dolphins that most people imagine, and each species has its own significance in our ecosystem. This is why it is important to respect these animals and take care of the oceans and rivers that they call home.