Knowra Delphinidae Delphinidae Delphinidae is a family of toothed whales that includes oceanic dolphins, orcas, pilot whales, and bottlenose dolphins. Its members are distinguished from porpoises by features including conical teeth and a beaklike snout in many species.
Cetacea : The order of aquatic mammals comprising whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Delphinidae is one family within this larger group of cetaceans.
Orca : The largest living dolphin, a toothed whale with distinctive black-and-white coloration and varied prey-specialized populations. Orcas are delphinids despite their common name, killer whale.
Dolphin biosonar : The use of focused clicks and returning echoes by dolphins to detect objects underwater. It describes the specialized echolocation system used by many delphinids.
Phocoenidae : The family of porpoises, small toothed whales distinct from oceanic dolphins. It is the closest familiar family-level comparison for Delphinidae.
Odontoceti : The cetacean suborder of toothed whales, including dolphins, porpoises, and sperm whales. All Delphinidae belong to this toothed-whale lineage.
Common bottlenose dolphin : A widespread oceanic dolphin known for its robust body, short beak, and flexible social behavior. It is a well-studied example of a familiar coastal and offshore delphinid.
Melon (cetacean anatomy) : A fatty structure in the forehead of toothed whales that helps focus outgoing echolocation sounds. This sound-focusing organ contributes to delphinid biosonar.
Monodontidae : The toothed-whale family containing belugas and narwhals. Its Arctic species are odontocetes but not members of the oceanic dolphin family.
Porpoise : A member of Phocoenidae, a family of small toothed whales distinct from oceanic dolphins. Porpoises are close relatives often mistaken for dolphins, but belong to another family.
Long-finned pilot whale : A large, dark delphinid with long pectoral fins that lives in deep offshore waters. Its name says whale, but its family membership is Delphinidae.
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