20+ Types Of Dolphins That Will Amaze You

The Atlantic Humpbacked Dolphin, also known as the Sousa Teuszii, is a species of dolphin found in the coastal waters of West Africa. It is characterized by a distinct hump on its back, which gives it its name. These dolphins have a slender body, with a long snout and a curved dorsal fin. 

They are typically gray, with a lighter underside. Atlantic Humpbacked Dolphins are highly social animals, often seen in small groups or pods, and they are known for their acrobatic displays, including leaping out of the water and riding waves. As for their size, they can reach up to 2.5 meters in length when fully matured. The average lifespan of the Atlantic Humpbacked Dolphin is estimated to be around 30 years.

The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin is a medium-sized dolphin with a sleek and slender body. It has a distinct spotted pattern on its light gray or white body, with dark spots covering its back, sides, and belly. These dolphins are found in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

They are highly social creatures, often traveling in large groups known as pods. They can grow to be around 6 to 8 feet long and weigh up to 100 kilograms. The average lifespan of the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin is estimated to be around 25 to 35 years.

The Australian Snubfin Dolphin, also known as the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin, is a unique species characterized by its short, rounded snout or "snub" appearance. They are typically found in the coastal waters of northern Australia, particularly in the regions of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

These dolphins are known to be highly sociable creatures, often seen in small groups of 2 to 6 individuals. They display a friendly curiosity towards humans and are occasionally observed interacting with boats. In terms of size, they can reach a length of up to 2.7 meters and weigh around 150 kilograms. The Australian Snubfin Dolphin has a relatively long life span, estimated to be around 30 to 40 years.

The Amazon River Dolphin, with its distinctive pinkish hue and elongated snout, graces the waterways of the Amazon River basin. Renowned for its sociable nature, these dolphins often travel in groups, fostering strong bonds with both their pod members and, uniquely, humans.

Growing to a mature size of around 6 feet, these freshwater dolphins exhibit remarkable intelligence and curiosity. With a lifespan of approximately 15 to 30 years, the Amazon River Dolphin stands as a captivating and amicable presence in the aquatic realms of South America.

The Araguaian River Dolphin, also known as Inia Araguaiaensis, is a unique species of dolphin found in the Araguaia and Tocantins river basins in Brazil. These dolphins have a distinctive appearance, with a long slender body, a prominent dorsal fin, and a long snout with sharp teeth. They are typically grayish-brown in color, blending in with the murky waters they inhabit. 

Araguaian River Dolphins are sociable creatures, often seen in small groups or pairs. They are known to interact with humans in a friendly manner, frequently approaching boats and even allowing touch. These dolphins reach a mature size of around 6 to 8 feet and can live up to 30 years in the wild.

The Common Bottlenose Dolphin is a well-known marine mammal, easily recognized by its sleek, gray body and distinctive curved dorsal fin. Found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, they are highly sociable creatures, often seen in large groups known as pods.

Not only do they display strong bonds within their species, but they also exhibit remarkable social interaction with humans, making them a favorite subject of study and admiration. These dolphins can reach a mature size of up to 3-4 meters in length and have an average lifespan of 40-50 years, ensuring they have ample time to explore and enchant the oceans.

The Burrunan Dolphin exhibits a sleek appearance with a slate-grey coloration and a contrasting white underbelly. Primarily found in the coastal waters of southern Australia, these dolphins are known for their sociable behavior among their pods and occasional interaction with humans.

Growing to a mature size of around 2.6 meters, these dolphins boast a lifespan of approximately 15-20 years. With a curious nature, the Burrunan Dolphin enchants both scientists and admirers alike with its unique features and engaging social dynamics.

The Chilean Dolphin, also known as the Black Dolphin or Tonina, is a small marine mammal found exclusively along the coast of Chile. They are known for their sleek and slender body, with a dark gray to black coloration on their back and a lighter shade on their belly. Chilean Dolphins have a rounded dorsal fin and a short, beak-like snout.

They are highly sociable animals, often seen swimming in small groups of 2 to 10 individuals. While they are generally curious and playful towards boats, they tend to be shy and avoid close interactions with humans. These dolphins reach a mature size of about 5 to 7 feet in length and have an average life span of 15 to 20 years.

The Clymene Dolphin, also known as the Stenella Clymene, is a small and slender species of dolphin that has a distinct appearance, with a dark dorsal cape that stretches from the rostrum to the tail. Their sides are light gray, and they have a white patch on their flank. Clymene dolphins are primarily found in the Atlantic Ocean, particularly in the warmer waters off the coasts of Africa and South America.

They are highly sociable creatures, often seen swimming in large groups called pods, and are known to be playful and acrobatic. These dolphins are generally curious and friendly towards humans, often approaching boats. They reach a mature size of around 6.5 to 7.5 feet in length and have a life span of approximately 25 years.

Commerson's Dolphin, also known as the Skunk Dolphin, is a unique marine mammal with distinct black and white markings. These dolphins are found in the coastal waters of southern Argentina and the Falkland Islands, where they prefer shallow, nearshore habitats. They are highly sociable creatures, often seen traveling in groups of 10 to 30 individuals.

Commerson's Dolphins are known to be curious and playful, exhibiting friendly behavior towards both their kind and humans. They have a mature size of around 4 to 5 feet and can weigh up to 90 pounds. With a lifespan of around 20 to 30 years, these dolphins continue to captivate the hearts of those who encounter them in the wild.

The Dusky Dolphin showcases a sleek, dark gray body with a distinctive hourglass pattern on its sides, hence being known for its striking appearance. Found in temperate and cool waters, especially around New Zealand, South America, and South Africa, these dolphins exhibit remarkable sociability, often forming playful and acrobatic groups.

With a mature size ranging from 5 to 6.5 feet, Dusky Dolphins have a lifespan of around 25 years. Their friendly nature extends to human interaction, making them a delight for both researchers and enthusiasts alike.

The False Killer Whale, despite its name, is not a whale but rather a large dolphin species. It has a robust body with a dark coloration and a slender, curved dorsal fin. They are found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. False Killer Whales are known for their highly social behavior, often forming large pods.

They are also known to interact with humans, occasionally approaching boats and divers. These dolphins can grow up to 20 feet in length and have a lifespan of around 60 years, making them one of the larger and longer-lived dolphin species.

Fraser's Dolphin, also known as the Lagenodelphis hosei, is a remarkable species of dolphin characterized by its unique appearance. It possesses a sleek and slender body with a distinctive hourglass pattern on its flanks. These dolphins are primarily found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean, particularly around Southeast Asia and the eastern coast of Africa.

They are highly sociable creatures, often seen in large groups ranging from hundreds to thousands. Fraser's Dolphins exhibit friendly behavior towards boats and frequently engage in bow-riding. They can grow up to 2.5 meters in length and have an average lifespan of around 20-25 years.

The Ganges River Dolphin, a unique type of dolphin found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers in India, possesses distinct features. It has a long snout with sharp teeth and a stocky body, measuring around 2.5 meters in length when fully mature.

These dolphins are known for their sociable nature, often found in small pods. They exhibit friendly behavior towards humans and are often seen swimming alongside boats. With a life span of around 30 years, these dolphins are a crucial part of the river ecosystem, serving as indicators of river health.

Heaviside's Dolphin is distinguished by its sleek, dark-gray body and contrasting white belly, inhabiting the cool waters off the southwestern coast of Africa. Known for its shy yet curious nature, these dolphins exhibit sociable behaviors within their groups, typically numbering from 5 to 10 individuals.

With a mature size of around 1.8 meters and a lifespan of approximately 20 years, Heaviside's Dolphins maintain a cautious but generally amicable interaction with humans, making them an intriguing species for marine enthusiasts along the Atlantic shores.

Hector's Dolphin is one of the smallest marine dolphins, showcasing a distinctive rounded dorsal fin and a striking black-and-white coloration. Endemic to the coastal waters of New Zealand, they are renowned for their playful and sociable nature, often seen in groups.

These dolphins, with a mature size of about 1.4 meters, have a lifespan of up to 20 years. While generally shy around humans, their inquisitive behavior occasionally brings them close to boats, offering enchanting encounters with these charismatic marine mammals.

The Hourglass Dolphin, named for its distinctive black and white coloration resembling an hourglass pattern on its sides, is a captivating marine species found in the cold waters of the Southern Hemisphere. These dolphins exhibit remarkable sociability, often seen in large groups, and they occasionally approach boats. 

With a mature size of around 1.8 meters, these acrobatic dolphins boast an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Their striking appearance and sociable nature make them a delightful sight for marine enthusiasts and researchers alike.

The Pacific White-Sided Dolphin boasts a distinct color pattern, featuring a dark gray back, a white belly, and white patches on its sides. These dolphins are primarily found in the cool waters of the North Pacific Ocean. They are highly social creatures, often seen in large groups called pods, which can consist of up to 100 individuals.

Pacific White-Sided Dolphins are known for their playful and energetic nature, frequently leaping out of the water and riding the bow waves of boats. They display a friendly attitude towards humans, often approaching boats and surfers. At maturity, these dolphins can reach lengths of around 7-8 feet and weigh up to 200 kilograms. They have a relatively long life span, averaging around 30-40 years in the wild.

The Pantropical Spotted Dolphin is a beautiful dolphin variety with a slender body and a unique spotted pattern. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. These dolphins often form large pods, which can consist of hundreds or even thousands of individuals.

They are known for their playful behavior and curiosity towards boats, making them quite sociable with humans. Mature Pantropical Spotted Dolphins can grow up to 7.5 feet in length and have an average lifespan of around 40 years.

Peale's Dolphin, distinguished by its striking black and white coloration, is typically found along the western coast of South America. Known for their sociable nature, these dolphins often form close-knit groups and exhibit curiosity towards humans. They have a mature size of about 2 meters.

Peale's Dolphins display an engaging playfulness. Their lifespan ranges from 20 to 25 years. The captivating appearance and amicable behavior of Peale's Dolphins make them a delightful sight for observers and highlight their remarkable social connections within their marine communities.

Risso's Dolphins, known for their unique appearance with a robust body and extensive scarring, inhabit temperate and tropical waters globally. These sociable creatures often form close-knit pods and display a remarkable curiosity towards boats.

With a mature size ranging from 3 to 4 meters, they boast a lengthy lifespan of up to 40 years. While generally shy with humans, Risso's Dolphins occasionally engage in bow-riding and interactions, providing an awe-inspiring sight for those fortunate enough to encounter them in the wild.