Dolphins are odontocete cetaceans, so they are mammals and breathe through the lungs. Within the group we find a whole variety of different species, although all of them have common characteristics such as those mentioned. One of the best known is the common dolphin (Delphinus capensis), which perhaps belongs to the most representative family, which is Delphinidae. However, there are other families that group together different types of dolphins.
These animals do not go unnoticed by humans, since their intelligence, sociability and, without a doubt, beauty make them very attractive. Do you want to know the characteristics of dolphins, such as their anatomy and behaviors? Keep reading and discover them in this article on our site.
Dolphin Anatomy
We begin by talking about the physical characteristics of the dolphin, since, although there are variations depending on the species, some traits may be common. In this sense, one of the common characteristics of the different species of dolphins is their torpedo-shaped body, which in turn isaerodynamic , one of the traits that allows him to be an excellent swimmer.
The limbs of these mammals are called flippers. In total, dolphins have the following fins, although the size and shape can vary depending on the species:
- Cow fin, which allows it to swim at high speeds and propel itself out of the water.
- Dorsal fin, located at the top.
- Pectoral fins, one on each side.
Another physical characteristic of dolphins is their elongated snout, which varies from one type to another in terms of width and length, but which is certainly peculiar in the group.
The presence of a structure known as a melon, which is located in the forehead area, in some with more prominence than in others, it is used for communication and echolocation, two aspects very well developed in the group. Similarly, the dolphin has the spiracle, a hole in the top of the head that it uses to breathe.
Dolphin Colors
Given the variety of species that exist, there is no single color pattern. Thus, we find the bottlenose dolphin that is gray, the common dolphin that is bicolor or the pink dolphin that, as its name suggests, is pink.
Size of a dolphin
Although within the group there are species such as killer whales that reach 10 tons in weight, individuals known properly as dolphins have weight ranges that go from from 25 kg to around of 250 kg, depending on the species. In terms of their dimensions, dolphins are usually 1 to 3 meters long or even a little more.
Dolphin senses
As for the senses, the eyes are located on each side of the head and, in general, they have good vision The sounds they are perceived from the throat, then pass directly to the inner ear and have good hearing underwater. Additionally, they rely on the emission of sounds from the melon, which consist of high-frequency clicks, and thus use echolocation. It has been suggested that they have no sense of smell and a very poor sense of taste.
Dolphin Taxonomy
Another characteristic of the dolphin is that referring to its taxonomy, which corresponds as follows:
- Animal Kingdom
- Phylum: Chordates
- Subphylum: Vertebrates
- Class: Mammals
- Order: Cetaceans
- Suborder: Odontoceti
- Families: Delphinidae, Iniidae, Lipotidae, Platanistidae and Pontoporiidae
As we can see, the diversity of the dolphin includes five families, although there are some controversies about it. Also, depending on the source, sometimes only oceanic species are spoken of, but there are also species from other types of aquatic ecosystems that are grouped in different families, but that share the taxonomy up to the suborder level. In this other article you will find all the types of dolphins.
Dolphin habitat
Continuing with the characteristics of dolphins that refer to the habitat in which they live, we must highlight that it varies according to the species. Thus, we find the common dolphin, which was previously separated into different species and now all oceanic common dolphins are grouped into the species Delphinus delphis, which has a cosmopolitan distribution in both tropical and cold temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans
On the other hand, we find certain species with a more restricted habitat. Some examples are:
- Pink dolphin or Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis): lives in hydrographic basins of South America, such as: Amazon River, Madeira River in Bolivia and Orinoco River in Venezuela.
- Hector's Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori): endemic to the coast of New Zealand.
- Delfin del Plata (Pontoporia blainvillei): endemic to the Río de la Plata in Argentina, but also inhabits the Atlantic coast, for which tolerates bodies of fresh and s alt water.
- Indus dolphin (Platanista minor): endemic to the Indus River in Pakistan.
Dolphin behavior
Another characteristic of dolphins that arouses the most curiosity is that related to their behaviour. On the one hand, is a very social animal that usually establishes lasting relationships, forming groups that it maintains over time and with which it carries out various activities such as hunting or play together.
Another characteristic related to the dolphin's behavior is that it has been shown that can use tools, which consists of using a object or material to perform a function. Thus, bottlenose dolphins of the genus Tursiops have been seen using sea sponges in their snouts while searching for food on the sandy bottoms where they live, probably to protect themselves while searching.
Within behavior, we can also mention that various species of dolphins jump They do so while swimming at high speeds underwater because, by jump, take in the air they need to breathe, submerge and continue swimming without stopping. On the other hand, jumping is used as a hunting technique that scares the fish it feeds on and causes them to group together, making it easier to catch. In addition, jumping is also a form of communication to find each other when they are not very close to each other.
Finally, it is important to mention that these animals, which have a high intelligence and communication system, can become very stressed when in captivityAs we say, it is a sociable and intelligent animal, so that being confined in water parks, all its natural actions are limited, so the animal lives inadequately, develops stress and its longevity tends to decrease.
Dolphin communication
One of the dolphin's most distinctive characteristics is its communication, which forms part of its social behavior. To do this, is capable of emitting various types of sounds, and can even use a particular sound with a specific individual. In addition, it uses its body through movements to transmit messages to other dolphins.
Dolphin feeding
Dolphins are characterized by following a carnivore-type diet as adults, since newborns consume their mother's milk, since we remember that they are mammals. However, they also learn to hunt quickly.
Depending on where the dolphin lives, its feeding will be based on the available resources of the habitat, but in general it mainly consumes fish, also octopuses, squids and crustaceans, as explained in the article on What Dolphins Eat.
On the other hand, as a social species, usually hunts in groups, so this action facilitates the search and capture of food.
Dolphin conservation status
The dolphin does not usually have predators in its natural habitat due to its great ability to perceive sounds, speed and intelligence. However, several species are subject to anthropic pressures because their main and most terrible predator is the human being
Thus, another characteristic of the dolphin is the danger it faces. In this sense, we mention some particular cases of the species and its conservation status:
- Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori): endangered.
- Atlantic Humpback Dolphin (Sousa teuszii): critically endangered.
- Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis): critically endangered.
- Baiji (Lipotes vexillifer): critically endangered (possibly extinct).
- South Asian river dolphin (Platanista gangetica): Endangered.
Now that you know the characteristics of the most remarkable dolphins, you may have noticed that they are truly extraordinary animals. For this reason, it is important not to promote its capture for exhibitions in parks or other negative practices for the species. The best way to observe these wonderful animals is in their natural habitat, being free and wild.
