dolphin family Dolphins vary in size from 1.2 m (4 ft) and 40 kg (88 lb) (Maui's Dolphin), up to 9.5 m (30 ft) and 10 tonnes (the Orca). However, the average length for most North American Species is 13.89 feet in length. Most species weigh about 50 to 200 kg (110 to 440 lb). They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. Bottlenose Dolphin is the most common and familiar species of dolphin. WIKIPEDIA:Dolphin) Dolphins are aquatic mammals related to whales and porpoises… Any member of the families *Delphinidae* and *Platanistoidea* (oceanic and river dolphins). Porpoises (suborder *Odontoceti*, family *Phocoenidae*) are thus not dolphins in this sense. Orcas and some related species belong to the *Delphinidae* family and therefore qualify as dolphins, even though they are called whales in common language. There are almost 40 species of dolphin in 17 genera. bottlenose dolphin dolphin humpback dolphin spinner dolphin cetacean marine mammal ready for release