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A pod of orcas out at sea at dawn

Oceanic dolphins

Dolphins, killer whales and pilot whales make up the Delphinidae, which is the largest family of cetaceans. They travel in groups, known as pods, and are renowned for their intelligence.

Scientific name: Delphinidae

Rank: Family

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When they lived

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About

Oceanic dolphins are members of the cetacean family Delphinidae. These marine mammals are related to whales and porpoises. They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves. As the name implies, these dolphins tend to be found in the open seas, unlike the river dolphins, although a few species such as the Irrawaddy dolphin are coastal or riverine.

Six of the larger species in the Delphinidae, the Orca and the Pilot (long-finned and short-finned), Melon-headed, Pygmy Killer and False Killer Whales, are commonly called whales, rather than dolphins; they are also sometimes collectively known as "blackfish".

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