List of cetaceans
Updated: 5/20/2026, 8:10:06 PM Wikipedia source
Cetacea is an infraorder that comprises the 94 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. It is divided into toothed whales (Odontoceti) and baleen whales (Mysticeti), which diverged from each other in the Eocene some 50 million years ago (mya). Cetaceans are descended from land-dwelling hoofed mammals, and the now extinct archaeocetes represent the several transitional phases from terrestrial to completely aquatic. Historically, cetaceans were thought to have descended from the wolf-like mesonychians, but cladistic analyses confirm their placement with even-toed ungulates in the order Cetartiodactyla. Whale populations were drastically reduced in the 20th century from intensive whaling, which led to a moratorium on hunting by the International Whaling Commission in 1982. Smaller cetaceans are at risk of accidentally getting caught by fishing vessels using, namely, seine fishing, drift netting, or gill netting operations.
Infobox
EX
Extinct (0 species)
EW
Extinct in the wild (0 species)
CR
Critically endangered (5 species)
EN
Endangered (11 species)
VU
Vulnerable (7 species)
NT
Near threatened (10 species)
LC
Least concern (50 species)
DD
Data deficient (9 species)
NE
Not evaluated (3 species)
Tables
· Mysticeti: baleen whales › Family Balaenidae: right whales
Common name
Common name
Genus Balaena Linnaeus, 1758 – one species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
IUCN Red List status
Col 4
Global population estimate
Col 5
Range
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Bowhead whale
Bowhead whale
Genus Balaena Linnaeus, 1758 – one species
Bowhead whale
Col 2
Balaena mysticetus
Linnaeus, 1758
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
43,000
Col 5
Col 6
60 t (66 short tons)
Col 7
Genus Eubalaena Gray, 1864 – three species
Genus Eubalaena Gray, 1864 – three species
Genus Balaena Linnaeus, 1758 – one species
Genus Eubalaena Gray, 1864 – three species
Common name
Common name
Genus Balaena Linnaeus, 1758 – one species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
IUCN Red List status
Col 4
Global population estimate
Col 5
Range
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
North Atlantic right whale
North Atlantic right whale
Genus Balaena Linnaeus, 1758 – one species
North Atlantic right whale
Col 2
Eubalaena glacialis
Müller, 1776
Col 3
CR IUCN
Col 4
350
Col 5
Col 6
40–80 t (44–88 short tons)
Col 7
North Pacific right whale
North Pacific right whale
Genus Balaena Linnaeus, 1758 – one species
North Pacific right whale
Col 2
Eubalaena japonica
Lacépède, 1818
Col 3
EN IUCN
Col 4
404–2,108
Col 5
Col 6
60–80 t (66–88 short tons)
Col 7
Southern right whale
Southern right whale
Genus Balaena Linnaeus, 1758 – one species
Southern right whale
Col 2
Eubalaena australis
Desmoulins, 1822
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
13,600
Col 5
Col 6
40–80 t (44–88 short tons)
Col 7
| Genus Balaena Linnaeus, 1758 – one species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | IUCN Red List status | Global population estimate | Range | Size | Picture |
| Bowhead whale | Balaena mysticetus Linnaeus, 1758 | LC IUCN | 43,000 | | 60 t (66 short tons) | |
| Genus Eubalaena Gray, 1864 – three species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | IUCN Red List status | Global population estimate | Range | Size | Picture |
| North Atlantic right whale | Eubalaena glacialis Müller, 1776 | CR IUCN | 350 | | 40–80 t (44–88 short tons) | |
| North Pacific right whale | Eubalaena japonica Lacépède, 1818 | EN IUCN | 404–2,108 | | 60–80 t (66–88 short tons) | |
| Southern right whale | Eubalaena australis Desmoulins, 1822 | LC IUCN | 13,600 | | 40–80 t (44–88 short tons) | |
· Mysticeti: baleen whales › Family Balaenopteridae: rorquals
Common name
Common name
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Blue whale
Blue whale
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Blue whale
Col 2
Balaenoptera musculus
Linnaeus, 1758
Col 3
EN IUCN
Col 4
5,000–15,000
Col 5
Col 6
50–150 t (55–165 short tons)
Col 7
Bryde's whale
Bryde's whale
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Bryde's whale
Col 2
Balaenoptera brydei
Olsen, 1913
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
90,000–100,000
Col 5
Col 6
14–30 t (15–33 short tons)
Col 7
Eden's whale
Eden's whale
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Eden's whale
Col 2
Balaenoptera edeni
Anderson, 1879
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
Unknown
Col 7
Common minke whale
Common minke whale
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Common minke whale
Col 2
Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Lacépède, 1804
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
200,000
Col 5
Col 6
2–4 t (2 –4 short tons)
Col 7
Rice's whale
Rice's whale
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Rice's whale
Col 2
Balaenoptera ricei
Rosel et al., 2021
Col 3
CR IUCN
Col 4
30–100
Col 5
Col 6
~13 t (15 short tons)
Col 7
Fin whale
Fin whale
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Fin whale
Col 2
Balaenoptera physalus
Linnaeus, 1758
Col 3
VU IUCN
Col 4
100,000
Col 5
Col 6
30–80 t (33–88 short tons)
Col 7
Omura's whale
Omura's whale
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Omura's whale
Col 2
Balaenoptera omurai
Wada et al., 2003
Col 3
DD IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Unknown
Col 6
Unknown
Col 7
Sei whale
Sei whale
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Sei whale
Col 2
Balaenoptera borealis
Lesson, 1828
Col 3
EN IUCN
Col 4
80,000
Col 5
Col 6
20–25 t (22–28 short tons)
Col 7
Antarctic minke whale
Antarctic minke whale
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Antarctic minke whale
Col 2
Balaenoptera bonaerensis
Burmeister, 1867
Col 3
NT IUCN
Col 4
515,000
Col 5
Col 6
6–10 t (6 –11 short tons)
Col 7
Genus Megaptera Gray, 1846 – one species
Genus Megaptera Gray, 1846 – one species
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Genus Megaptera Gray, 1846 – one species
Common name
Common name
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Humpback whale
Humpback whale
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Humpback whale
Col 2
Megaptera novaeangliae
Borowski, 1781
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
84,000
Col 5
Col 6
25–30 t (28–33 short tons)
Col 7
Genus Eschrichtius Gray, 1864 – one species
Genus Eschrichtius Gray, 1864 – one species
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Genus Eschrichtius Gray, 1864 – one species
Common name
Common name
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Gray whale
Gray whale
Genus Balaenoptera – nine species
Gray whale
Col 2
Eschrichtius robustus
Lilljeborg, 1861
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
21,000
Col 5
Col 6
15–40 t (17–44 short tons)
Col 7
| Genus Balaenoptera – nine species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Blue whale | Balaenoptera musculus Linnaeus, 1758 | EN IUCN | 5,000–15,000 | | 50–150 t (55–165 short tons) | |
| Bryde's whale | Balaenoptera brydei Olsen, 1913 | LC IUCN | 90,000–100,000 | | 14–30 t (15–33 short tons) | |
| Eden's whale | Balaenoptera edeni Anderson, 1879 | LC IUCN | Unknown | | Unknown | |
| Common minke whale | Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacépède, 1804 | LC IUCN | 200,000 | | 2–4 t (2 –4 short tons) | |
| Rice's whale | Balaenoptera ricei Rosel et al., 2021 | CR IUCN | 30–100 | | ~13 t (15 short tons) | |
| Fin whale | Balaenoptera physalus Linnaeus, 1758 | VU IUCN | 100,000 | | 30–80 t (33–88 short tons) | |
| Omura's whale | Balaenoptera omurai Wada et al., 2003 | DD IUCN | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Sei whale | Balaenoptera borealis Lesson, 1828 | EN IUCN | 80,000 | | 20–25 t (22–28 short tons) | |
| Antarctic minke whale | Balaenoptera bonaerensis Burmeister, 1867 | NT IUCN | 515,000 | | 6–10 t (6 –11 short tons) | |
| Genus Megaptera Gray, 1846 – one species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Humpback whale | Megaptera novaeangliae Borowski, 1781 | LC IUCN | 84,000 | | 25–30 t (28–33 short tons) | |
| Genus Eschrichtius Gray, 1864 – one species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Gray whale | Eschrichtius robustus Lilljeborg, 1861 | LC IUCN | 21,000 | | 15–40 t (17–44 short tons) | |
· Mysticeti: baleen whales › Family Cetotheriidae: pygmy right whale
Common name
Common name
Genus Caperea Gray, 1864 – one species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Pygmy right whale
Pygmy right whale
Genus Caperea Gray, 1864 – one species
Pygmy right whale
Col 2
Caperea marginata
Gray, 1846
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
3–3 t (3 –3 short tons)
Col 7
| Genus Caperea Gray, 1864 – one species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Pygmy right whale | Caperea marginata Gray, 1846 | LC IUCN | Unknown | | 3–3 t (3 –3 short tons) | |
· Odontoceti: toothed whales › Family Delphinidae: oceanic dolphins
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Dusky dolphin
Dusky dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Dusky dolphin
Col 2
Aethalodelphis obscurus
Gray, 1828
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
100 kg (220 lb)
Col 7
Pacific white-sided dolphin
Pacific white-sided dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Pacific white-sided dolphin
Col 2
Aethalodelphis obliquidens
Gill, 1865
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
1,000,000
Col 5
Col 6
85–150 kg (187–331 lb)
Col 7
Genus Cephalorhynchus Gray, 1846 – six species
Genus Cephalorhynchus Gray, 1846 – six species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Cephalorhynchus Gray, 1846 – six species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Peale's dolphin
Peale's dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Peale's dolphin
Col 2
Cephalorhynchus australis
Peale, 1848
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
115 kg (254 lb)
Col 7
Hourglass dolphin
Hourglass dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Hourglass dolphin
Col 2
Cephalorhynchus cruciger
Quoy & Gaimard, 1824
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
140,000
Col 5
Col 6
90–120 kg (200–260 lb)
Col 7
Chilean dolphin
Chilean dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Chilean dolphin
Col 2
Cephalorhynchus eutropia
Gray, 1846
Col 3
NT IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
60 kg (130 lb)
Col 7
Commerson's dolphin
Commerson's dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Commerson's dolphin
Col 2
Cephalorhynchus commersonii
Lacépède, 1804
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
22,000
Col 5
Col 6
35–60 kg (77–132 lb)
Col 7
Heaviside's dolphin
Heaviside's dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Heaviside's dolphin
Col 2
Cephalorhynchus heavisidii
Gray, 1828
Col 3
NT IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
40–75 kg (88–165 lb)
Col 7
Hector's dolphin
Hector's dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Hector's dolphin
Col 2
Cephalorhynchus hectori
Van Beneden, 1881
Col 3
EN IUCN (subspecies Maui dolphin CR IUCN)
Col 4
7,381 (subspecies Maui dolphin 57–75 in 2016)
Col 5
Col 6
35–60 kg (77–132 lb)
Col 7
Genus Delphinus – one species
Genus Delphinus – one species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Delphinus – one species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Common dolphin
Common dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common dolphin
Col 2
Delphinus delphis
Linnaeus, 1758
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
70–150 kg (150–330 lb)
Col 7
Genus Feresa – one species
Genus Feresa – one species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Feresa – one species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Pygmy killer whale
Pygmy killer whale
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Pygmy killer whale
Col 2
Feresa attenuata
Gray, 1875
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
160–350 kg (350–770 lb)
Col 7
Genus Globicephala – two species
Genus Globicephala – two species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Globicephala – two species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Long-finned pilot whale
Long-finned pilot whale
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Long-finned pilot whale
Col 2
Globicephala melas
Traill, 1809
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
(green)
Col 6
1 –3 t (2 –3 short tons)
Col 7
Short-finned pilot whale
Short-finned pilot whale
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Short-finned pilot whale
Col 2
Globicephala macrorhynchus
Gray, 1846
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
(dark blue)
Col 6
1–4 t (1 –4 short tons)
Col 7
Genus Grampus – one species
Genus Grampus – one species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Grampus – one species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Risso's dolphin
Risso's dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Risso's dolphin
Col 2
Grampus griseus
G. Cuvier, 1812
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
300 kg (660 lb)
Col 7
Genus Lagenodelphis – one species
Genus Lagenodelphis – one species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Lagenodelphis – one species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Fraser's dolphin
Fraser's dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Fraser's dolphin
Col 2
Lagenodelphis hosei
Fraser, 1956
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
209 kg (461 lb)
Col 7
Genus Lagenorhynchus Gray, 1846 – one species
Genus Lagenorhynchus Gray, 1846 – one species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Lagenorhynchus Gray, 1846 – one species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
White-beaked dolphin
White-beaked dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
White-beaked dolphin
Col 2
Lagenorhynchus albirostris
Gray, 1846
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
100,000
Col 5
Col 6
180 kg (400 lb)
Col 7
Genus Leucopleurus Gray, 1866 – one species
Genus Leucopleurus Gray, 1866 – one species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Leucopleurus Gray, 1866 – one species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Atlantic white-sided dolphin
Atlantic white-sided dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Atlantic white-sided dolphin
Col 2
Leucopleurus acutus
Gray, 1828
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
200,000–300,000
Col 5
Col 6
235 kg (518 lb)
Col 7
Genus Lissodelphis – two species
Genus Lissodelphis – two species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Lissodelphis – two species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Northern right whale dolphin
Northern right whale dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Northern right whale dolphin
Col 2
Lissodelphis borealis
Peale, 1848
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
400,000
Col 5
Col 6
115 kg (254 lb)
Col 7
Southern right whale dolphin
Southern right whale dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Southern right whale dolphin
Col 2
Lissodelphis peronii
Lacépède, 1804
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
60–100 kg (130–220 lb)
Col 7
Genus Orcaella Gray, 1866 – two species
Genus Orcaella Gray, 1866 – two species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Orcaella Gray, 1866 – two species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Australian snubfin dolphin
Australian snubfin dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Australian snubfin dolphin
Col 2
Orcaella heinsohni
Beasley, Robertson & Arnold, 2005
Col 3
VU IUCN
Col 4
9,000–10,000
Col 5
Col 6
130–145 kg (287–320 lb)
Col 7
Irrawaddy dolphin
Irrawaddy dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Irrawaddy dolphin
Col 2
Orcaella brevirostris
Gray, 1866
Col 3
EN IUCN
Col 4
78–102
Col 5
Col 6
130 kg (290 lb)
Col 7
Genus Orcinus – one species
Genus Orcinus – one species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Orcinus – one species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Orca
Orca
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Orca
Col 2
Orcinus orca
Linnaeus, 1758
Col 3
DD IUCN
Col 4
100,000
Col 5
Col 6
4 t (5 short tons)
Col 7
Genus Peponocephala – one species
Genus Peponocephala – one species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Peponocephala – one species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Melon-headed whale
Melon-headed whale
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Melon-headed whale
Col 2
Peponocephala electra
Gray, 1846
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
225 kg (496 lb)
Col 7
Genus Pseudorca – one species
Genus Pseudorca – one species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Pseudorca – one species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
False killer whale
False killer whale
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
False killer whale
Col 2
Pseudorca crassidens
Owen, 1846
Col 3
NT IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
1 –2 t (1 –2 short tons)
Col 7
Genus Sousa – four species
Genus Sousa – four species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Sousa – four species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Atlantic humpback dolphin
Atlantic humpback dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Atlantic humpback dolphin
Col 2
Sousa teuszii
Kükenthal, 1892
Col 3
CR IUCN
Col 4
1,500
Col 5
Col 6
100–150 kg (220–330 lb)
Col 7
Australian humpback dolphin
Australian humpback dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Australian humpback dolphin
Col 2
Sousa sahulensis
Jefferson & Rosenbaum, 2014
Col 3
VU IUCN
Col 4
10,000
Col 5
Col 6
230–250 kg (510–550 lb)
Col 7
Indian Ocean humpback dolphin
Indian Ocean humpback dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Indian Ocean humpback dolphin
Col 2
Sousa plumbea
Cuvier, 1829
Col 3
EN IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
Col 7
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin
Col 2
Sousa chinensis
Osbeck, 1765
Col 3
VU IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
250–280 kg (550–620 lb)
Col 7
Genus Sotalia – two species
Genus Sotalia – two species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Sotalia – two species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Guiana dolphin
Guiana dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Guiana dolphin
Col 2
Sotalia guianensis
Bénéden, 1864
Col 3
NT IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
35–45 kg (77–99 lb)
Col 7
Tucuxi
Tucuxi
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Tucuxi
Col 2
Sotalia fluviatilis
Gervais & Deville, 1853
Col 3
EN IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
35–45 kg (77–99 lb)
Col 7
Genus Stenella Gray, 1866 – five species
Genus Stenella Gray, 1866 – five species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Stenella Gray, 1866 – five species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Atlantic spotted dolphin
Atlantic spotted dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Atlantic spotted dolphin
Col 2
Stenella frontalis
Cuvier, 1829
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
100,000
Col 5
Col 6
100 kg
Col 7
Clymene dolphin
Clymene dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Clymene dolphin
Col 2
Stenella clymene
Gray, 1846
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
75–80 kg (165–176 lb)
Col 7
Pantropical spotted dolphin
Pantropical spotted dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Pantropical spotted dolphin
Col 2
Stenella attenuata
Gray, 1846
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
3,000,000
Col 5
Col 6
100 kg (220 lb)
Col 7
Spinner dolphin
Spinner dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Spinner dolphin
Col 2
Stenella longirostris
Gray, 1828
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
90 kg (200 lb)
Col 7
Striped dolphin
Striped dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Striped dolphin
Col 2
Stenella coeruleoalba
Meyen, 1833
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
2,000,000
Col 5
Col 6
100 kg (220 lb)
Col 7
Genus Steno – one species
Genus Steno – one species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Steno – one species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Rough-toothed dolphin
Rough-toothed dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Rough-toothed dolphin
Col 2
Steno bredanensis
Lesson, 1828
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
150,000
Col 5
Col 6
100–135 kg (220–298 lb)
Col 7
Genus Tursiops – three species
Genus Tursiops – three species
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Genus Tursiops – three species
Common name
Common name
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Common bottlenose dolphin
Common bottlenose dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Common bottlenose dolphin
Col 2
Tursiops truncatus
Montagu, 1821
Col 3
LC IUCN
Col 4
600,000
Col 5
Col 6
150–650 kg (330–1,430 lb)
Col 7
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin
Col 2
Tursiops aduncus
Ehrenberg, 1833
Col 3
NT IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
230 kg (510 lb)
Col 7
Tamanend's bottlenose dolphin
Tamanend's bottlenose dolphin
Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species
Tamanend's bottlenose dolphin
Col 2
Tursiops erebennus
Cope, 1865
Col 3
NE
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Unknown
Col 6
Unknown
Col 7
| Genus Aethalodelphis Galatius et al., 2025– two species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Dusky dolphin | Aethalodelphis obscurus Gray, 1828 | LC IUCN | Unknown | | 100 kg (220 lb) | |
| Pacific white-sided dolphin | Aethalodelphis obliquidens Gill, 1865 | LC IUCN | 1,000,000 | | 85–150 kg (187–331 lb) | |
| Genus Cephalorhynchus Gray, 1846 – six species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Peale's dolphin | Cephalorhynchus australis Peale, 1848 | LC IUCN | Unknown | | 115 kg (254 lb) | |
| Hourglass dolphin | Cephalorhynchus cruciger Quoy & Gaimard, 1824 | LC IUCN | 140,000 | | 90–120 kg (200–260 lb) | |
| Chilean dolphin | Cephalorhynchus eutropia Gray, 1846 | NT IUCN | Unknown | | 60 kg (130 lb) | |
| Commerson's dolphin | Cephalorhynchus commersonii Lacépède, 1804 | LC IUCN | 22,000 | | 35–60 kg (77–132 lb) | |
| Heaviside's dolphin | Cephalorhynchus heavisidii Gray, 1828 | NT IUCN | Unknown | | 40–75 kg (88–165 lb) | |
| Hector's dolphin | Cephalorhynchus hectori Van Beneden, 1881 | EN IUCN (subspecies Maui dolphin CR IUCN) | 7,381 (subspecies Maui dolphin 57–75 in 2016) | | 35–60 kg (77–132 lb) | |
| Genus Delphinus – one species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Common dolphin | Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, 1758 | LC IUCN | Unknown | | 70–150 kg (150–330 lb) | |
| Genus Feresa – one species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Pygmy killer whale | Feresa attenuata Gray, 1875 | LC IUCN | Unknown | | 160–350 kg (350–770 lb) | |
| Genus Globicephala – two species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Long-finned pilot whale | Globicephala melas Traill, 1809 | LC IUCN | Unknown | (green) | 1 –3 t (2 –3 short tons) | |
| Short-finned pilot whale | Globicephala macrorhynchus Gray, 1846 | LC IUCN | Unknown | (dark blue) | 1–4 t (1 –4 short tons) | |
| Genus Grampus – one species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Risso's dolphin | Grampus griseus G. Cuvier, 1812 | LC IUCN | Unknown | | 300 kg (660 lb) | |
| Genus Lagenodelphis – one species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Fraser's dolphin | Lagenodelphis hosei Fraser, 1956 | LC IUCN | Unknown | | 209 kg (461 lb) | |
| Genus Lagenorhynchus Gray, 1846 – one species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| White-beaked dolphin | Lagenorhynchus albirostris Gray, 1846 | LC IUCN | 100,000 | | 180 kg (400 lb) | |
| Genus Leucopleurus Gray, 1866 – one species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Atlantic white-sided dolphin | Leucopleurus acutus Gray, 1828 | LC IUCN | 200,000–300,000 | | 235 kg (518 lb) | |
| Genus Lissodelphis – two species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Northern right whale dolphin | Lissodelphis borealis Peale, 1848 | LC IUCN | 400,000 | | 115 kg (254 lb) | |
| Southern right whale dolphin | Lissodelphis peronii Lacépède, 1804 | LC IUCN | Unknown | | 60–100 kg (130–220 lb) | |
| Genus Orcaella Gray, 1866 – two species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Australian snubfin dolphin | Orcaella heinsohni Beasley, Robertson & Arnold, 2005 | VU IUCN | 9,000–10,000 | | 130–145 kg (287–320 lb) | |
| Irrawaddy dolphin | Orcaella brevirostris Gray, 1866 | EN IUCN | 78–102 | | 130 kg (290 lb) | |
| Genus Orcinus – one species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Orca | Orcinus orca Linnaeus, 1758 | DD IUCN | 100,000 | | 4 t (5 short tons) | |
| Genus Peponocephala – one species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Melon-headed whale | Peponocephala electra Gray, 1846 | LC IUCN | Unknown | | 225 kg (496 lb) | |
| Genus Pseudorca – one species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
· Odontoceti: toothed whales › Family Iniidae: river dolphins
Common name
Common name
Genus Inia – two species
Common name
Col 2
Scientific name
Col 3
Status
Col 4
Population
Col 5
Distribution
Col 6
Size
Col 7
Picture
Amazon river dolphin
Amazon river dolphin
Genus Inia – two species
Amazon river dolphin
Col 2
Inia geoffrensis
Blainville, 1817
Col 3
EN IUCN
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Col 6
150 kg (330 lb)
Col 7
Araguaian river dolphin
Araguaian river dolphin
Genus Inia – two species
Araguaian river dolphin
Col 2
Inia araguaiaensis
Hrbek, Da Silva, Dutra, Farias, 2014
Col 3
NE
Col 4
Unknown
Col 5
Araguaian river dolphin in blue
Col 6
150 kg (330 lb)
Col 7
| Genus Inia – two species | ||||||
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Population | Distribution | Size | Picture |
| Amazon river dolphin | Inia geoffrensis Blainville, 1817 | EN IUCN | Unknown | | 150 kg (330 lb) | |
| Araguaian river dolphin | Inia araguaiaensis Hrbek, Da Silva, Dutra, Farias, 2014 | NE | Unknown | Araguaian river dolphin in blue | 150 kg (330 lb) | |
References
- The Society for Marine Mammalogy considers Eden's whale a smaller morph of the more widespread Bryde's whale based on cu
- Total population unknown but thought to be locally common – it is the most common dolphin found around the Falkland Isla
- Population estimated to be in the low thousands at the highest.
- There are estimated to be at least several million common dolphins worldwide, but several large portions of its range ha
- The only population estimate is of 38,900 individuals in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
- Total population is not known. There are estimated to be in excess of 200,000 in the Southern Ocean. The North Atlantic
- Total population not known. There are 150,000 individuals in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. There are estimated to
- The population around the continental shelf of the United States has been recorded to be in excess of 60,000. In the Pac
- There are estimated to be at least 320,000 Fraser's dolphins worldwide, but several large portions of its range have not
- Estimates of various stocks throughout the North Atlantic give an overall value into the high tens or low hundreds of th
- Varying population estimates for areas around California and the North Pacific give a total of up to 400,000
- Surveys suggest this is the most common dolphin off of Chilean waters
- Local estimates include 70–80,000 in the Antarctic, 8,000 in the tropical Pacific (although tropical waters are not the
- Estimates for eastern tropical Pacific are 45,000 and another recent survey estimates population to be 1,200 for the eas
- The total population is unknown. The eastern Pacific was estimated to have in excess of 40,000 individuals and is probab
- Population estimated to be in the low tens of thousands
- As of November 2021, the Araguaian river dolphin is not recognized by the Society for Marine Mammalogy, which cites smal
- No global population estimates have been made. One survey estimated a population of about 11,000 in the eastern Pacific
- No global population estimates have been made. One survey estimated a population of about 11,000 in the eastern Pacific
- A survey from November–December 2006 failed to find any individuals. Another survey, from 1997, counted only 13 individu