Kingdom Anamalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Cetacea Kingdom Anamalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Cetacea

Dolphins belong to the family Delphinidae Most dolphins have an extended beak Tend to have hooked or curved dorsal fins Homodont conical teeth Very playful and social Have been known to travel in pods of up to 2,000 Interested in large ships or whales Porpoises belong to the family Phocoenidae Tend to have triangular dorsal fin Spatulate teeth Rarely observed in groups larger than two individuals Often seem afraid of ships or other large cetaceans

First two cervical fused in dolphins First six cervical fused in porpoises Dolphins have fusiform body optimal for fast swimming Pectoral fins used for steering Fluke use to propel the body Dorsal fin provides stability Melon used for echolocation Blowhole used for breathing First two cervical fused in dolphins First six cervical fused in porpoises Dolphins have fusiform body optimal for fast swimming Pectoral fins used for steering Fluke use to propel the body Dorsal fin provides stability Melon used for echolocation Blowhole used for breathing

The gestation period of dolphins varies between 11 months to 17 months depending on the species Sexually active before sexually mature Occasionally engage in homosexual behaviors Mate between species creating hybrid dolphins such as the wolphin Sometimes engage in aggressive sexual activities such as rape Calves stay with mother for upwards of three years The gestation period of dolphins varies between 11 months to 17 months depending on the species Sexually active before sexually mature Occasionally engage in homosexual behaviors Mate between species creating hybrid dolphins such as the wolphin Sometimes engage in aggressive sexual activities such as rape Calves stay with mother for upwards of three years Wolphin

Bottlenose Dolphin- loves warm water Spinner Dolphin- spins during leaps Common Dolphin- like deep water Spotted Dolphin- large herds Pantropical Spotted Dolphin Clymene Dolphin Rough Toothed Dolphin Striped Dolphin White Beaked Dolphin Pacific White-Sided Dolphin- deep temperate waters Hourglass Dolphin Bottlenose Dolphin- loves warm water Spinner Dolphin- spins during leaps Common Dolphin- like deep water Spotted Dolphin- large herds Pantropical Spotted Dolphin Clymene Dolphin Rough Toothed Dolphin Striped Dolphin White Beaked Dolphin Pacific White-Sided Dolphin- deep temperate waters Hourglass Dolphin Harbor Porpoise- can travel 22km/hr. Dall’s Porpoise- Fastest and strongest swimmer among cetaceans Vaquita Porpoise- most endangered Spectacled Porpoise- largest porpoise Burmeister’s Porpoise-1.4 to 1.8 m long Finless Porpoise- only porpoise with a round melon

Dolphins use echolocation for hunting The diet of the average dolphin consists of fish, shrimp, and squid Dolphins sleep with half of their mind at a time so they can stay aware of their surroundings When baby dolphins are behind their mothers to the right, they are sucked along with their mothers helping them keep up Dolphins can live to be fifty years old Dolphins use echolocation for hunting The diet of the average dolphin consists of fish, shrimp, and squid Dolphins sleep with half of their mind at a time so they can stay aware of their surroundings When baby dolphins are behind their mothers to the right, they are sucked along with their mothers helping them keep up Dolphins can live to be fifty years old

Dolphin Distribution Porpoise Distribution

Marine Bio Home Mrs. Peck’s Marine Biology homepage Student PagesOther student’s webpages Monterey Bay Aquarium Interesting facts on the common dolphin Earth Trust Information discerning dolphins from porpoises, as well as their classifications The Porpoise Page Great info on the morphology of dolphins and porpoises, as well as examples of all the different species Animal Diversity Web A plethora of info on Harbor Porpoises Dolphin FunSite with amazing cool facts The following sites were used to help create this website.