Dolphin: For Other Uses, See
Dolphin: For Other Uses, See
Dolphin: For Other Uses, See
A bottlenose dolphin
1Etymology
2Hybridization
3Evolution
4Anatomy
o 4.1Integumentary system
4.1.1Blubber
o 4.2Locomotion
o 4.3Senses
5Intelligence
6Behavior
o 6.1Socialization
o 6.2Reproduction and sexuality
o 6.3Sleeping
o 6.4Feeding
o 6.5Vocalization
o 6.6Jumping and playing
o 6.7Tail-walking
7Threats
o 7.1Humans
8Relationships with humans
o 8.1In history and religion
o 8.2In captivity
8.2.1Species
8.2.2Controversy
8.2.3Military
8.2.4Therapy
o 8.3Consumption
8.3.1Cuisine
8.3.2Health concerns
9See also
10References
11Further reading
12External links
Etymology
The name is originally from Greek δελφίς (delphís), "dolphin",[2] which was related to the
Greek δελφύς (delphus), "womb".[2] The animal's name can therefore be interpreted as
meaning "a 'fish' with a womb".[3] The name was transmitted via
the Latin delphinus[4] (the romanization of the later Greek δελφῖνος – delphinos[2]), which
in Medieval Latin became dolfinus and in Old French daulphin, which reintroduced
the ph into the word "Dolphin". The term mereswine (that is, "sea pig") has also
historically been used.[5]
The term 'dolphin' can be used to refer to most species in the
family Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins) and the river dolphin families Iniidae (South
American river dolphins), Pontoporiidae (La Plata dolphin), Lipotidae (Yangtze river
dolphin) and Platanistidae (Ganges river dolphin and Indus river dolphin).[6][7] This term
has often been applied in the US, mainly in the fishing industry, to all
small cetaceans (dolphins and porpoises) are considered to be porpoises,[8] while the
fish dorado is called dolphin fish.[9] In common usage the term 'whale' is used only for
the larger cetacean species,[10] while the smaller ones with a beaked or longer nose are
considered 'dolphins'.[11] The name 'dolphin' is used casually as a synonym
for bottlenose dolphin, the most common and familiar species of dolphin. [12] There are six
species of dolphins commonly thought of as whales, collectively known as blackfish:
the orca, the melon-headed whale, the pygmy killer whale, the false killer whale, and the
two species of pilot whales, all of which are classified under the family Delphinidae and
qualify as dolphins.[13] Although the terms 'dolphin' and 'porpoise' are sometimes used
interchangeably, 'porpoise' usually refers to the Phocoenidae family, which have a
shorter beak and spade-shaped teeth and differ in their behavior. [12]
A group of dolphins is called a "school" or a "pod". Male dolphins are called "bulls",
females called "cows" and young dolphins are called "calves". [14]
Common dolphin
Bottlenose dolphin
Spotted dolphin
Commerson's dolphin
Dusky dolphin
Orca
Hybridization