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| A '''dolphin''' is an aquatic ] of the order ]; a type of ]. | A '''dolphin''' is an aquatic ] of the order ]; a type of ]. | ||
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| ⚫ | <small>Dusky Dolphins</small></div> | ||
| The word is used in a few different ways. It can mean: | The word is used in a few different ways. It can mean: | ||
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| ⚫ | <small>Dusky Dolphins</small> | ||
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Revision as of 13:56, 22 May 2003
A dolphin is an aquatic mammal of the order Cetacea; a type of whale.
The word is used in a few different ways. It can mean:
- Family Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins),
- Both Delphinidae and Platanistidae (oceanic and river dolphins),
- Or all of suborder Odontoceti (toothed whales).
A porpoise (suborder Odontoceti, family Phocoenidae) is distinct from a dolphin.
The most famous species of dolphins are the bottlenosed dolphin, and the killer whale.
See also military dolphin.
External link
Dolphin (or more properly, dolphinfish) is also used to describe a species of fish which is unrelated to the mammal. The name is being used more and more infrequently and is has generally been replaced with the name mahi-mahi to avoid confusion with the mammal, especially since the fish is commonly eaten.