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Whale and dolphin species guide

There are around 90 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises, known collectively as 'cetaceans'. From the enormous blue whale to the tiny vaquita and Hector's dolphin, you will find information and amazing facts about many of these incredible creatures in our species guide.

Whale and dolphin species

All whales and dolphins can be divided into two categories: baleen whales and toothed whales. Toothed whales include the sperm whale, beaked whales, dolphins, porpoises and the beluga whale and narwhal.

All
  • All
  • Baleen whales
  • Beaked whales
  • Beluga whale and narwhal
  • Dolphins
  • Porpoises
  • River dolphins
  • Sperm whales
Amazon River dolphin (Boto)

Amazon River dolphin

Andrews’ beaked whale

Antarctic minke whale

Antarctic minke whale

Arnoux's beaked whale

Arnoux’s beaked whale

Atlantic humpback dolphin

Atlantic humpback dolphin

Young Atlantic spotted dolphin

Atlantic spotted dolphin

Atlantic white-sided dolphin

Atlantic white-sided dolphin

Australian humpback dolphin

Australian snubfin dolphin © Guido Parra

Australian snubfin dolphin

Baiji (Yangtze River dolphin)

Baiji

Baird's beaked whale © Adrian Shephard

Baird’s beaked whale

Beluga whale

Beluga whale

Blainville's beaked whale

Blainville’s beaked whale

Blue whale © Andrew Sutton

Blue whale

Bowhead whale © Alan Airey

Bowhead whale

Please help us save whales and dolphins

By adopting a whale or dolphin, by making a donation, or by fundraising for WDC, you can help us provide a safe future for these amazing creatures.

Bottlenose dolphin at surface

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Adopt a dolphin and help us protect these amazing creatures.

Humpback whale

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Orca spyhop

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