This selection of Irish animals, native or introduced, is taken from the Appletree Press title Animals of Ireland. There will be a number of extracts from the book in coming months. The book contains highly detailed full colour illustrations to complement the detailed explanatory text.

Dolphins
Delphinidae
Deilf

Many people are unaware of the fact that dolphins are found in Irish inshore waters as wild animals as distinct from those found in marinas and aquaria. In the summer and autumn dolphins of a number of different species may be found off the south and west coasts in particular. They are feeding schools which follow the shoals of fish, crustacea and other marine animals brought inshore by the Gulf Stream. Their presence is usually detected by the synchronised roll of their shiny backs as they break the surface of the sea to expel and inhale air. Occasionally they breach the surface spontaneously when they are accompanying a ship in a series of playful leaps. On these occasions their distinctive 'beaks' and swept-back dorsal fins distinguish them from porpoises. They do not breed in Irish waters, preferring to rear their young elsewhere.

The Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is the species most likely to be encountered, being found regularly in schools of up to a hundred or more. It is generally steel-grey on the upper body and white underneath. There are large, oblong, ochre-coloured patches on either side of the body and wavy blackish lines along the sides extend up to the face. Usually about 2 metres (6.5 feet) in length, it weighs up to 75 kg (165 lb).

The other dolphin likely to be encountered in Irish waters is the Bottle-nosed Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Like the Common dolphin it occurs in schools but in numbers rarely more than a dozen. It is generally less abundant and apparently less widespread than the former. It is much larger than the Common dolphin, up to 3.5 metres (12 feet), and is generally greyish brown with white throat and belly. The name 'Bottlenosed' is derived from the strange snout or beak which is longer and more pronounced than that of the commoner animal. The Bottle-nosed is the species most commonly tamed in aquaria, where it is taught to perform incredible tricks and to demonstrate its startling intelligence. Other dolphins occur irregularly in Irish waters.

Other Aquatic Mammals (cetaceans) from Animals of Ireland include:
Killer Whale |
Porpoise