Best Dolphin

Common bottlenose dolphins occur in tropical and temperate seas, occupying both coastal waters and offshore environments. Tursiops truncatus belongs to the Delphinidae family and is recognizable by its relatively stout body, curved dorsal fin and short, defined beak. Its broad distribution and the a...

Rapid rotations during leaps above the sea give spinner dolphins their common name. Stenella longirostris is a relatively small oceanic member of the Delphinidae family, found widely in tropical waters and extending into some warm temperate areas. Its slender body and long beak provide a different p...

Akeakamai was a female bottlenose dolphin studied at the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory in Hawaii. In research led by Louis Herman and colleagues, she learned an artificial language made from human gestures. The signs referred to objects and actions, and their order could change the instructi...

The boto, or Amazon river dolphin, is a freshwater cetacean associated with the Amazon and Orinoco river systems of South America. Inia geoffrensis belongs to the Iniidae family and is the largest living river dolphin. Its long beak and flexible neck suit movement through complex river habitats, inc...

Tilikum was a male orca, Orcinus orca, whose captive life became central to debate about keeping large marine mammals in entertainment facilities. Orcas belong to the dolphin family, which explains his inclusion in this category. He was captured from the wild and held at facilities including Sealand...

The common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, lives in coastal and offshore waters across many parts of the world's warmer and temperate oceans. Its rounded forehead and short, projecting beak create the familiar bottlenose profile. A member of the dolphin family Delphinidae, it is a social mar...

Delphinus delphis, commonly called the short-beaked common dolphin, is a widely distributed member of the Delphinidae family found in temperate and tropical seas. A dark back and contrasting flank markings, often described as an hourglass pattern, give it a recognizable appearance. Its head has a de...

Opo was a wild female bottlenose dolphin remembered for seeking human company at Opononi in New Zealand's Hokianga Harbour during 1955 and 1956. She approached boats and played near the beach, becoming known for interactions with swimmers, particularly children. Her behavior drew visitors and made h...

Winter was a rescued bottlenose dolphin who lived at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida and became widely known for using a custom prosthetic tail. Injuries from entanglement led to the loss of her tail flukes, and her rehabilitation brought together animal care and prosthetic development. She di...

Orcinus orca, commonly known as the killer whale, represents the largest species within the delphinidae family – specifically, a type of dolphin. It’s notable for its status as an apex predator found worldwide and recognized by scientists since 1758. These intelligent marine mammals are characterize...

Flipper was a bottlenose dolphin featured in the popular 1960s television series. The show’s success established Flipper as an iconic figure representing captive dolphins and contributed significantly to public interest in marine mammals. It primarily appealed to families and children who enjoyed st...

Jedol was a male Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin who became a prominent case study in marine mammal rehabilitation and release. Originally captured illegally off the coast of Jeju Island, South Korea, he lived in captivity and performed at a zoo before being confiscated by the government in 2013. Af...

Pelorus Jack was a Rissol’s dolphin recognized for its extraordinary association with New Zealand whaling ships during the 19th century. This intelligent animal consistently guided vessels through dangerous waters, reducing ship losses and earning the respect of sailors. It is believed to be one of...

J2, known as Granny, was a female orca belonging to J-Pod, a distinct group within the Southern Resident killer whale population of the Pacific Northwest. She is notable for her exceptional age, with estimates placing her lifespan around 105 years – making her one of the oldest documented marine mam...

Tahlequah is a Southern Resident orca dolphin residing in the Pacific Northwest. She is notable for exhibiting prolonged maternal behavior following the death of her calf, J35, carrying him for seventeen days. This behavior drew global attention to the plight of this critically endangered population...

A73, formerly known as Springer, is a Northern Resident orca residing in British Columbia waters. This individual gained significant recognition due to his successful rehabilitation following an injury sustained during captivity. Scientists and researchers study A73 to understand the potential for r...

The common bottlenose dolphin *Tursiops truncatus* is a highly intelligent marine mammal found globally in coastal waters. This species is notable for its social behavior and capacity for learning, frequently utilized in research examining animal cognition and training programs. It’s primarily studi...

The Amazon River dolphin, also known as the boto, is a freshwater dolphin species found in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. It’s notable for its unique pink coloration caused by blood vessels near the skin surface. The iniidae subspecies is critically endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and...

Commerson’s Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) is a small oceanic dolphin found primarily in the Southern Hemisphere. Its distinctive black and white pattern provides camouflage in coastal waters around South America and the Kerguelen Islands. This species is notable for its highly social behavio...

Fungie was a long-term resident bottlenose dolphin observed in Dublin Bay, Ireland. He became notable for his consistent solitary presence and interactions with boats over nearly four decades, from 1983 to 2020. Researchers and marine enthusiasts tracked Fungie’s unique behavior, providing valuable...

Pelorus Jack was a wild Risso’s dolphin that lived in Pelorus Sound, New Zealand between 1888 and 1912. He became notable for repeatedly leading ships safely through the treacherous waters of the sound. This unique behavior prompted the first legal protection for a marine animal in New Zealand, mark...

Shamu was an orca (Orcinus orca) held in captivity by SeaWorld San Diego beginning in 1965. Her survival represented a pioneering instance of intentionally keeping an individual orca for public display. She became synonymous with the park’s early operations and served as a key figure in establishing...

The baiji was a critically endangered Chinese river dolphin, belonging to the Lipotyde family. It was one of only two known species of freshwater dolphins and uniquely adapted to the Yangtze River’s complex ecosystem. Its distinct appearance – characterized by a rounded head and pale grey coloration...

The dusky dolphin is a small, dark-colored oceanic dolphin found primarily in the Southern Hemisphere’s coastal and offshore waters. It's notable for its distinctive dark grey pigmentation and frequent acrobatic displays. This species is frequently observed by marine biologists and researchers study...

Louis Herman’s Phoenix is a captive bottlenose dolphin residing in Hawaii. This individual was the subject of extensive research investigating dolphin intelligence and communication. Phoenix gained recognition for its ability to understand an artificial acoustic language system, showcasing sophistic...

Keiko was an individual Pacific white-sided dolphin born in Iceland. He gained international recognition for his role in the film *Free Willy* and subsequent efforts to rehabilitate him after a life in captivity. Scientists and animal welfare advocates studied Keiko’s case to understand the challeng...

Spinner dolphins are small oceanic dolphins characterized by their unique aerial behavior. They perform complex spins, launching themselves high out of the water for extended rotations. *Stenella longirostris* is notable for this acrobatic display and its frequent formation swimming. These dolphins...

The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is a widely distributed oceanic dolphin found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It’s notable for its varied coloration patterns, ranging from grey to brown, and exhibits complex social behaviors including cooperative hunting. This species is primarily stud...

Spirtle is a resident bottlenose dolphin inhabiting the Moray Firth of Scotland. He gained recognition following a significant sunburn event in 2016 which caused extensive skin damage. This incident highlighted the vulnerability of marine mammals to environmental stressors and the importance of wild...