16 Types of Dolphins in Indonesian Waters

Dolphins in Indonesian Waters are really smart marine mammals, it would be wrong to say that dolphins are a type of fish, because dolphins are the same as humans who can give birth and breastfeed. Dolphins have a natural system that complements their bodies really complex. Many technologies are inspired by dolphins. One of them, for example, is that dolphin skin can reduce friction with water, so that dolphins can swim with little water resistance.

This is used by some swimmers to make swimwear similar to dolphin skin. In addition, dolphins have a system used to speak and receive stimuli called sonar, this mechanism can avoid objects in front of the dolphin, so that dolphins can avoid collisions. This technology is then applied by experts in making radar on submarines.

Dolphins are mammals because dolphins are mammals. They survive in the seas and rivers around the world. Dolphins are a family of whales and porpoises. There are more than 40 types of dolphins. Newborn dolphins will be carried up by their mothers so they can suck in air. Dolphins need to come up to breathe in order to stay alive. Dolphins breathe through the air holes on their heads. Their smooth and slender bodies are perfect for swimming. Dolphins live and work in groups or called herds. They often play together.

Here are Dolphins in Indonesian Waters

Of the approximately 40 types of dolphins in the world, 16 species live and can be found in Indonesian waters. Dolphins belong to the Cetacea Order, Chordata phylum, from the Delphimidae family. Generally, people in Indonesia only know them by the name Dolphins, so often many assume that Dolphins are animals that only have one type. This time Bali Exotic Marine Park will review several types of dolphins in Indonesian waters, one of which is:

Striped Nose Dolphin

The striped-nose dolphin is one of the dolphins with the widest distribution area. This dolphin is found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, and adjacent seas, including in Indonesian waters.

Fraser’s Dolphin

The Fraser’s Dolphin has a body size of between 2-2.7 mtr. weighing 160-210 kg. Strong and stocky body, has a small dorsal fin even smaller when compared to other types of dolphins. Fraser’s dolphin has a color on the upper part of its body that is bluish gray or brownish, and the lower part generally has a pale white or pink color.

Rough-Toothed Dolphin

This dolphin is a genus Steno, it has a size of up to 2.6 mtr. weighing around 160 kg. Have a small head with a long beak without folds in the melon. Their dorsal fins are relatively high and large and are located in the middle of the back and they have relatively long fins (pectoral fins). For dark body color with white lips and throat and a narrow dark dorsal cape between the blowhole and dorsal fins. The belly (ventral) surface has irregular spots and spots.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Bottlenose dolphins are the most popular type of Dolphins in Indonesian Waters. Their body length is around 2-4 meters. weighing between 135-635 kg. The color of this intelligent mammal ranges from light gray to black with a lighter color on their belly.

Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

The body length of the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is around 2.6 meters. weighing up to 230 kg. Found living in the waters around India, northern Australia, the South China Sea, the Red Sea, the east coast of Africa, and in Indonesian waters. The upper body is dark grey with a whitish grey belly with grey spots.

Long-beaked Common Dolphin

The Long-beaked Common Dolphin is relatively small in size with a length of between 1.9-2.5 m. and weighs between 80-235 kg. It has a long snout, a slender gray body, white dorsal and ventral fins and a yellowish chest panel.

Spinner Dolphin

Spinner dolphins are known for their power when jumping and spinning often on their body axis. They are relatively small in size with a length of around 2 m. and weigh between 59-77 kg.

Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin

This Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin is medium in size with a body length of 2.8 m. and weighs between 25-280 kg.

Risso’s Dolphin

This type of dolphin is quite large with a body length of between 2.6 – 4 m. and weighs between 300 – 500 kg. The round head has a vertical fold on the face with a relatively large anterior body and dorsal fin.

Spotted Dolphin

This dolphin in Indonesian waters has a relatively small body with a length of around 2 m and a weight of 114 kg. The snout is slender and one of the active and attractive dolphins with a very high jump.

Electra Whale

The Electra Whale is known as the Melon-headed Whale or Electra dolphin. This dolphin species, which is often grouped as ‘blackfish’, has a length of around 2.7 m and a weight of 210 kg.

Killer Whale

Although it is said to be a ‘whale’, this type is included in the Dolphin family. This type of dolphin has the largest size. Its body length can reach 10 m and a weight of 10 tons. The upper body is black with white spots near the eyes, chest and sides of the body are white.

Pygmy Killer Whale

The Pygmy Killer Whale is relatively small in size, the Pygmy Killer Whale has a body length of around 2.6 m. weighing around 170 kg. The body color is dark with small white parts on the lips and stomach.

False Killer Whale

The False Killer Whale is the 3rd largest type of Dolphins in Indonesian Waters. While its body size reaches 4.5 – 6 m. weighing around 700 kg. Its body is dark except for some near the esophagus and middle chest.

Short-finned Pilot Whale

The short-finned pilot whale has a body length of 3. 7 – 5.5 m. Its body weight reaches between 1 – 3 tons.

Pesut

Pesut is a freshwater dolphin. This type of dolphin inhabits river waters in India, Indochina, the Philippines and Kalimantan (Indonesia). Its body length is around 2.3 m. weighing 130 kg. The dolphins that live in Indonesia occupy the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan, can be said to be the Mahakam Dolphin.

Those are 16 types of dolphins in Indonesian waters that we can find. Hopefully the information we provide is useful. However, if you want to interact directly with dolphins, please come to Bali Exotic Marine Park to swim with Bali dolphins and learn about dolphins.