What Are the Variations of a Dolphin?

Beaks

• One of the most distinguishable characterises of dolphins is their beak or snout. Some species, such as the bottlenose dolphin, even derive their name from the shape of their beak. The bottlenose dolphin has a stubby, short beak which looks like a bottle in size and shape. Inside their beaks are 18 to 26 sharp teeth. The spinner dolphin, also called the long-nosed spinner dolphin, has a longer beak than most dolphin species. Their beaks usually have black tips, while their bodies are gray. The clymene dolphin has one of the shortest beaks of any dolphin species. Like the spinner dolphin, the clymene dolphin's beak has a black tip, while its body is usually gray and black. Many people think the black tip of the clymene's beak looks like a moustache. Risso's dolphins, unlike most dolphins, do not have a distinct beak, but instead have faces that appear mushed-in.

Body Color

• Another differentiating characteristic among dolphins is body color. The bottlenose dolphin, one of the most well-known of the dolphin species, has a light gray body. However, not all dolphins are gray or even solid-colored. White beaked dolphins have coloring similar to that of a killer whale. These dolphins have white bellies and white stripes along their sides, but mostly dark gray or black bodies. As their name suggests, their beaks are white in color. Risso's dolphins are gray in color but have markings that appear much like scarring all over their bodies. This skin pattern makes them unmistakable. The pantropical dolphin also has a distinctive body pattern. Their bellies are white, while their bodies are dark gray or black. Their abdomens, however, are covered with spots in a splatter-like formation.

Size

• Dolphins vary quite a bit in size. The Orca, or killer whale, is the largest species of dolphin. Orcas can weigh up to 9 tons and and measure over 30 feet in length. The pygmy killer whale is much smaller than its cousin, the killer whale. In fact, it weighs only about 500 pounds maximum and measures under 9 feet in length. Long-snouted spinner dolphins are also a small species, reaching about 5 to 7 feet in length and weighing under 200 pounds. The bottlenose dolphin measures about 9 to 12 feet in length; however, because of its stout body, can weigh up to 1,200 pounds.

Fins

• Dolphin's fin shape varies depending on the species. Some species of dolphin, such as the short-finned pilot whale, are even named after their fins. Unlike many other species, this dolphin's dorsal fin is relatively short and rounded. It is also located far up the body, close to the head. It's pectoral fins, located on its side, are also located close to the head and are quite narrow. Not all dolphins have short fins. The orca has the tallest dorsal fin of all the dolphin species, measuring up to 6 feet in height. The long-finned pilot whale looks much like the short-finned pilot whale but with longer, more pointed dorsal and pectoral fins.