DolphinsDelphinidae

Dolphins are streamlined marine mammals with robust, torpedo-shaped bodies and a prominent dorsal fin. Most species possess a distinct beak and conical teeth adapted for grasping prey. They are typically grey on the dorsal side and lighter ventrally, often displaying species-specific patterns of stripes or patches. Members of this family range from 1.3 to over 4 meters (4.3-13 ft) in length and weigh between 20 and 650 kilograms (44-1430 lbs).

They inhabit offshore waters, frequently visiting reef slopes and drop-offs from the surface down to several hundred meters (hundreds of feet). Their diet consists primarily of schooling fish and cephalopods, located using echolocation. Dolphins are highly social, living in pods that vary from a few individuals to many hundreds, and often engage in cooperative hunting. They are frequently observed swimming rapidly, performing acrobatic leaps near the surface, and are regularly encountered by divers, especially in the vicinity of oceanic reefs.