Top 10 Biggest Dolphins In The World

Dolphins, often called the "smiling ambassadors of the sea," are some of the most enchanting and intelligent creatures inhabiting our planet's oceans. Dolphins have captivated the human imagination for centuries With sleek bodies, playful nature, and remarkable adaptations.

However, the world's largest dolphins belong to the family Delphinidae, commonly known as "oceanic dolphins." While many species of dolphins exist, a few stand out as the largest and most impressive in terms of size and characteristics.

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Here we would like to share with you the top 10 biggest dolphins in the world based on their overall length.

10. Rough-toothed Dolphin (6 - 8 Feet)

The Rough-toothed Dolphin (Steno bredanensis) is a remarkable and lesser-known member of the dolphin family, characterized by its distinctive appearance and behavior. Rough-toothed dolphins are medium-sized cetaceans, with adults typically reaching lengths of 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) and weighing between 350 to 700 pounds (160 to 320 kilograms).

Their name derives from the unusual appearance of their teeth, which have a rough texture due to numerous small ridges and grooves. These teeth are adapted for capturing and holding onto prey, primarily consisting of various fish and cephalopods.

These dolphins have sleek, slender bodies with a light gray to the dark gray coloration on their dorsal (upper) side, fading to a lighter gray or pinkish-white on their ventral (under) side. Their feeding habits are diverse, as they primarily hunt for fish and cephalopods.

9. Southern Right Whale Dolphin (6 - 9 Feet)

Southern Right Whale Dolphins (Lissodelphis peronii) are known for their unique physical characteristics and their preference for cold, open ocean waters. Southern Right Whale Dolphins have elongated, sleek bodies with no dorsal fin. 

They also exhibit a striking black-and-white coloration pattern, which extends along their bodies. These dolphins are slightly larger, with adults typically reaching lengths of 6 to 9 feet (1.8 to 2.7 meters) and weighing between 150 to 260 pounds (70 to 120 kilograms).

Southern Right Whale Dolphins inhabit the cold waters of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in the subantarctic and antarctic regions. They are frequently spotted near the Antarctic Convergence, where cold and warm ocean currents meet. Their diet consists mainly of small fish and krill.

8. Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin (8 - 10 Feet)

The Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin (Sousa chinensis), often referred to as the "pink dolphin" due to its distinctive pink or light gray coloration, is a captivating and enigmatic cetacean species.

These dolphins can reach great lengths by growing 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3 meters) long. Their rostrums (snouts) are long and beak-like, and they lack a pronounced beak tip. While their coloration varies, they are most renowned for their pink, mottled, or light gray skin, which distinguishes them from many other dolphin species.

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As their name suggests, these dolphins are found in the Indo-Pacific region, covering coastal waters from the eastern coast of Africa to the western Pacific Ocean, including the coasts of southern Asia and northern Australia.

7. White-Beaked Dolphin (7 - 10 Feet)

The White-Beaked Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) is a captivating marine mammal known for its striking appearance, social behavior, and preference for the cold waters of the North Atlantic.

They typically measure between 7 and 10 feet (2.2 to 3 meters) in length and weigh around 500 to 700 pounds (227 to 318 kilograms). Their most prominent feature is their white or pale gray beak, which contrasts with the rest of their body. Their dorsal (upper) side is generally dark gray to black, while their ventral (under) side is lighter in color.

They have a circumpolar distribution, which means they can be seen in various regions, including the North Atlantic coasts of North America, Europe, and Iceland.

6. Common Bottlenose Dolphin (6 - 13 Feet)

The Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is perhaps the most iconic and widely recognized species of dolphin worldwide. Common Bottlenose Dolphins are medium to large-sized cetaceans, with adult individuals typically ranging in length from 6 to 13 feet (1.8 to 4 meters) and weighing between 300 to 1,400 pounds (135 to 635 kilograms).

They are characterized by their sleek, streamlined bodies, prominent dorsal fins, and distinctive beak-like snouts. Their coloration varies but is typically light gray to light brown on their dorsal side and a lighter shade, often a creamy or pinkish hue, on their ventral side. 

These dolphins have a melon-shaped forehead, which plays a role in their echolocation abilities.

5. Risso’s Dolphin (8 - 13 Feet)

Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) is a distinctive and unique member of the dolphin family known for its striking appearance, social behavior, and deep-sea habits. Risso's Dolphins are relatively large, with adults typically measuring between 8 to 13 feet (2.4 to 4 meters) in length and weighing anywhere from 600 to 1,100 kilograms (1,300 to 2,400 pounds).

Their most prominent feature is their unusual appearance, characterized by a lack of a prominent beak and a rounded, bulbous forehead, which is often covered in scars and scratches. These marks are thought to be the result of interactions with squid, their primary prey.

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Their coloration varies with age. Young Risso's Dolphins are usually dark gray to black, while older individuals become increasingly lighter, with a pale gray to almost white appearance.

4. False Killer Whale (15 - 20 Feet)

Despite its name, this species is not a true killer whale (Orcinus orca) but is rather a unique cetacean in its own right. False Killer Whales are among the largest members of the dolphin family. 

Adults typically measure between 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters) in length and can weigh up to 2,000 to 3,000 pounds (900 to 1,360 kilograms). They have sleek, streamlined bodies with a dark gray or black coloration on their dorsal (upper) side, which transitions to a lighter gray on their ventral (under) side. 

False Killer Whales have a rounded forehead and a prominent dorsal fin that is usually sickle-shaped and erect. They prefer offshore and deep-sea environments but can occasionally be encountered closer to the coast.

3. Long-finned Pilot Whale (16 - 23 Feet)

Often confused with their close relatives, the Short-finned Pilot Whales, these marine mammals are characterized by their long, tapering dorsal fins and their strong social bonds within their pods.

Long-finned Pilot Whales are among the larger members of the dolphin family, with adults typically reaching lengths of 16 to 23 feet (5 to 7 meters) and weighing between 2,200 to 6,600 pounds (1,000 to 3,000 kilograms). 

They have a robust, dark-colored body with a bulbous forehead and a long, curved dorsal fin, which is one of their most distinctive features. Unlike Short-finned Pilot Whales, their dorsal fin is more pronounced and elongated.

Their coloration is generally dark gray to black on their dorsal side and lighter gray to whitish on their ventral side.

2. Short-finned Pilot Whale (18 - 24 Feet)

Often mistaken for dolphins, these whales are actually members of the dolphin family (Delphinidae) and are known for their large size and unique features. They typically reach lengths of 18 to 24 feet (5.5 to 7.3 meters) and can weigh between 2,200 to 6,600 pounds (1,000 to 3,000 kilograms). 

They have a rounded forehead (melon), no beak, and a relatively short dorsal fin set far back on their bodies. This dorsal fin is notably sickle-shaped and can be quite prominent.

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Their coloration is striking, with a dark gray or black dorsal side and a lighter gray to whitish underside. This color pattern makes them easily distinguishable from other cetaceans.

1. Orca Killer Whale (Up to 32 Feet)

The Orca, more commonly known as the Killer Whale (Orcinus orca), is the biggest dolphin in the world. Adult Orcas can reach lengths of up to 32 feet (10 meters) and weigh as much as 22,000 pounds (10,000 kilograms). 

They are instantly recognizable by their striking black-and-white coloration, which includes a distinctive saddle patch just behind their dorsal fin. Their sleek, streamlined bodies are designed for efficient swimming, and they have tall, curved dorsal fins that can reach heights of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in males, while females have smaller, more curved dorsal fins. 

Additionally, Orcas have strong, powerful tails that enable them to swim at high speeds.

Source:

• Umpan

• WDC

Also read: Top 10 Biggest Whales In The World