20 Animals That Are Most Similar To Dolphins

Porpoise

Porpoises are closely related to dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are generally smaller in size and have a rounder head and shorter snout than dolphins. They are also known for their shorter, spade-shaped dorsal fins. Porpoises can be found in various oceans around the world, and there are six different species of porpoise recognized. They are known for their shy and elusive nature and are considered to be some of the most difficult cetaceans to study in the wild.

Beluga Whale

Beluga whales, also known as white whales, are closely related to dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their distinctive white color and bulbous forehead, called a “melon.” They are found in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters and are known for their vocalizations and the ability to mimic human speech. They are also known for their intelligence and use of tools, such as using chunks of ice to break open shellfish.

Killer Whale

Killer whales, also known as orcas, are closely related to dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their black and white coloration and tall dorsal fin. They are found in all oceans around the world and are known for their intelligence and complex social structures. They are apex predators and are known to hunt a wide variety of prey, including fish, seals, and even larger whales.

Pilot Whale

Pilot whales are closely related to dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their dark coloration and large size, with some individuals reaching up to 20 feet in length. They are found in all oceans around the world and are known for their intelligence and complex social structures. They are known for their vocalizations and echolocation, which they use to navigate and hunt for food.

Spotted Dolphin

Spotted dolphins are closely related to dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their small size and distinctive white spots on their dark skin. They are found in all tropical and subtropical oceans around the world and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their acrobatic displays and playful nature, often riding the bow waves of boats.

Risso’s Dolphin

Risso’s dolphins are closely related to dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their large size and gray coloration, with many individuals having deep scars on their bodies. They are found in all temperate and tropical oceans around the world and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their deep diving capabilities, with some individuals reaching depths of over 2,000 meters.

Common Dolphin

Common dolphins are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their striking coloration, with a dark gray or black back and a lighter gray or white belly. They are found in all oceans around the world, and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their acrobatic displays, often leaping and porpoising out of the water.

Dall’s Porpoise

Dall’s porpoises are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their small size and stocky build, with a black and white coloration. They are found in the North Pacific Ocean and are known for their high-speed swimming, often reaching speeds of over 35 mph. They are also known for their shy and elusive nature, making them difficult to study in the wild.

Short-finned Pilot Whale

Short-finned pilot whales are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their large size and short dorsal fin. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters of the world’s oceans and are known for their intelligence and complex social structures. They are also known for their deep diving capabilities, with some individuals reaching depths of over 2,000 meters.

Humpback Dolphin

Humpback dolphins are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their small size and distinctive hump or dorsal ridge on their back. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their acrobatic displays, often leaping and porpoising out of the water.

Long-finned Pilot Whale

Long-finned pilot whales are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their large size and long dorsal fin. They are found in cold-temperate waters of the world’s oceans and are known for their intelligence and complex social structures. They are also known for their deep diving capabilities, with some individuals reaching depths of over 2,000 meters.

Atlantic Humpback Dolphin

Atlantic humpback dolphins are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their small size and distinctive hump or dorsal ridge on their back. They are found in the Atlantic Ocean and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their acrobatic displays, often leaping and porpoising out of the water.

Pacific Humpback Dolphin

Pacific humpback dolphins are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their small size and distinctive hump or dorsal ridge on their back. They are found in the Pacific Ocean and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their acrobatic displays, often leaping and porpoising out of the water.

Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin

Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their small size and distinctive hump or dorsal ridge on their back. They are found in the coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their acrobatic displays, often leaping and porpoising out of the water.

White-beaked Dolphin

White-beaked dolphins are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their gray or black coloration and distinctive white beak. They are found in the coastal waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their acrobatic displays, often leaping and porpoising out of the water.

Black Dolphin

Black dolphins, also known as melon-headed whales, are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their black coloration and small size. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their deep diving capabilities, with some individuals reaching depths of over 1000 meters.

Rough-toothed Dolphin

Rough-toothed dolphins are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their gray coloration and rough-looking teeth. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their deep diving capabilities, with some individuals reaching depths of over 1000 meters.

Striped Dolphin

Striped dolphins are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their gray or black coloration and distinctive white stripes on their sides. They are found in tropical and temperate waters around the world and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their acrobatic displays, often leaping and porpoising out of the water.

Common Humpback Dolphin

Common humpback dolphins are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their small size and distinctive hump or dorsal ridge on their back. They are found in the coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their acrobatic displays, often leaping and porpoising out of the water.
It’s worth mentioning that the classification and relationship between cetaceans is a complex topic, and there are many different ways to classify these animals, this list is based on the current understanding of the Delphinidae family and the similarities of these animals with the Dolphin.

Southern Right Whale Dolphin

Southern right whale dolphins are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their small size and sleek body shape. They are found in the southern hemisphere, primarily in the cool and temperate waters of the southern Pacific Ocean and Southern Ocean. They are known for their intelligence and social behavior, often seen in large groups. They are also known for their acrobatic displays, often leaping and porpoising out of the water.

Hourglass Dolphin

Hourglass dolphins are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their small size and distinctive hourglass-shaped coloration on their sides. They are found in the coastal waters of the Southern Ocean and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their deep diving capabilities, with some individuals reaching depths of over 1000 meters.

Dwarf Sperm Whale

Dwarf sperm whales are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their small size and shape that resemble that of a typical sperm whale but with a smaller size. They are found in the tropical and subtropical waters around the world and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their deep diving capabilities, with some individuals reaching depths of over 1000 meters.

False Killer whale

False killer whales are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their black coloration and shape that resembles that of a typical killer whale but with a smaller size. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their deep diving capabilities, with some individuals reaching depths of over 1000 meters. They have a long and slender body, with a rounded head and a slight beak. False killer whales are also known for their vocalizations and echolocation, which they use to navigate and hunt for food.

Pygmy Killer whale

Pygmy killer whales are closely related to other dolphins and belong to the same scientific family, Delphinidae. They are known for their small size and shape that resembles that of a typical killer whale but with a smaller size. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world and are known for their intelligence and social behavior. They are also known for their deep diving capabilities, with some individuals reaching depths of over 1000 meters. They have a robust body, with a rounded head and a slight beak. Pygmy killer whales are also known for their vocalizations and echolocation, which they use to navigate and hunt for food.