Dolphin
Delphinus Delphis
Verified by: AZ Animals StaffCan reach speeds of up to 25 mph!
The term common dolphin tends to refer to the short-beaked common dolphin and the long-beaked common dolphin that are found in warmer seas worldwide.
The common dolphin is generally found around the Mediterranean Sea but are also commonly seen in deep off-shore waters and to a lesser extent over continental shelves that are preferred to shallower waters. Some populations of dolphin may be present all year round, others appear to move in a migratory pattern.
Common dolphins travel in groups of around 10-50 in number and frequently gather into schools numbering 100 to 2000 individuals. These schools are generally very active socially with groups often surfacing, jumping and splashing together. Typical dolphin behavior includes breaching, tail-slapping, chin-slapping, bow-riding and proposing.
Common dolphins are among the fastest swimming marine mammals, with some possibly reaching speeds of over 40 km/h. Dolphins have been known to use both their speed and large group sizes to develop different ways of hunting prey.
Dolphins are considered one of the smartest animals on earth.
View all 33 animals that start with DDolphin Scientific Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Cetacean
- Family
- Delphinidae
- Scientific Name
- Delphinus Delphis
Dolphin Conservation Status
Dolphin Facts
- Main Prey
- Fish, Crab, Squid
- Distinctive Feature
- Rounded dorsal in and striped skin
- Habitat
- Temperate coastal waters, harbours and bays
- Predators
- Human, Sharks, Killer Whale
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Average Litter Size
- 1
- Lifestyle
- Pod
- Favorite Food
- Fish
- Type
- Mammal
- Slogan
- Can reach speeds of up to 25 mph!
Dolphin Physical Characteristics
- Colour
- Grey
- Black
- White
- Skin Type
- Smooth
- Top Speed
- 25 mph
- Lifespan
- 20 - 45 years
- Weight
- 100kg - 300kg (220lbs - 660lbs)
- Length
- 2m - 4m (6.5ft - 13ft)
Dolphin Images
Click through all of our Dolphin images in the gallery.
View all of the Dolphin images!
Dolphin FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are Dolphins herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?
Dolphins are Carnivores, meaning they eat other animals.
What Kingdom do Dolphins belong to?
Dolphins belong to the Kingdom Animalia.
What class do Dolphins belong to?
Dolphins belong to the class Mammalia.
What phylum to Dolphins belong to?
Dolphins belong to the phylum Chordata.
What family do Dolphins belong to?
Dolphins belong to the family Delphinidae.
What order do Dolphins belong to?
Dolphins belong to the order Cetacean.
What type of covering do Dolphins have?
Dolphins are covered in Smooth skin.
In what type of habitat do Dolphins live?
Dolphins live in temperate coastal waters, harbors, and bays.
What is the main prey for Dolphins?
Dolphins prey on fish, crab, and squid.
What are some predators of Dolphins?
Predators of Dolphins include humans, sharks, and killer whales.
What are some distinguishing features of Dolphins?
Dolphins have rounded dorsal fins and striped skin.
How many babies do Dolphins have?
The average number of babies a Dolphin has is 1.
What is an interesting fact about Dolphins?
Dolphins can reach speeds of up to 25 mph!
What is the scientific name for the Dolphin?
The scientific name for the Dolphin is Delphinus Delphis.
What is the lifespan of a Dolphin?
Dolphins can live for 20 to 45 years.
What is the lifespan of a Dolphin?
Dolphins can live for 20 to 45 years.
How fast is a Dolphin?
A Dolphin can travel at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.
How to say Dolphin in ...
Sources
- David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
- Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
- David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
- Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
- David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
- Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals
- David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals
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