As a marine biologist with a keen interest in cetacean studies, I have spent considerable time researching and observing various species of dolphins and whales. When it comes to the largest dolphin in the world, there is a common misconception that needs to be addressed. The term "dolphin" is often used to describe a variety of marine mammals, but in the strictest sense, dolphins are a family of animals known as Delphinidae. However, the term is also colloquially applied to members of other cetacean families, including orcas, which are indeed the largest of the so-called "dolphins."
作为一名对鲸类研究有浓厚兴趣的海洋生物学家，我花费了大量时间研究和观察各种海豚和鲸鱼。当谈到世界上最大的海豚时，需要解决一个常见的误解。“海豚”这个术语通常用来描述各种海洋哺乳动物，但在最严格的意义上，海豚是一类被称为海豚科的动物。然而，这个术语也通俗地应用于其他鲸类科的成员，包括逆戟鲸，它们确实是所谓的“海豚”中最大的。
The orca, also known as the killer whale, is the largest member of the dolphin family. Despite its name, which might suggest a closer relationship to whales, the orca is indeed a dolphin. It is a highly intelligent and social creature, known for its striking black and white coloration and its sophisticated hunting techniques. Orcas can be found in oceans all around the world, from the cold waters of the Arctic and Antarctic to the warm waters of the tropics.
逆戟鲸，也被称为虎鲸，是海豚家族中最大的成员。尽管它的名字可能会让人认为它与鲸鱼关系更近，但逆戟鲸确实是海豚。它是一种高度智能和社交的生物，以其醒目的黑白相间的颜色和复杂的狩猎技巧而闻名。逆戟鲸可以在世界各地的海洋中找到，从寒冷的北极和南极水域到热带的温暖水域。

Orcas are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the food chain in their ecosystems. They have few natural predators and are known to prey on a wide variety of marine animals, including seals, sea lions, and even other whales. Their size, strength, and intelligence make them formidable hunters.
逆戟鲸是顶级捕食者，意味着它们处于其生态系统食物链的顶端。它们几乎没有天敌，并且已知会捕食各种海洋动物，包括海豹、海狮甚至其他鲸鱼。它们的体型、力量和智慧使它们成为强大的猎手。

In terms of size, adult male orcas typically measure between 20 to 25 feet (6 to 7.6 meters) in length, while females are slightly smaller, averaging around 17 to 21 feet (5.2 to 6.4 meters). The largest recorded orca was a male that measured approximately 32 feet (9.75 meters) in length and weighed an estimated 22 tons.
在体型方面，成年雄性逆戟鲸的体长通常在20到25英尺（6到7.6米）之间，而雌性略小，平均约为17到21英尺（5.2到6.4米）。记录中最大的逆戟鲸是一只雄性，体长大约为32英尺（9.75米），估计重量为22吨。

It is important to note that while orcas are the largest dolphins, there are other species that are also quite large. For example, the pilot whale, which is sometimes mistaken for an orca due to its size and robust body, is another large dolphin species. Pilot whales can reach lengths of up to 20 feet (6 meters) and are known for their deep, intelligent eyes and their social structure, which includes strong familial bonds.
值得注意的是，尽管逆戟鲸是最大的海豚，但还有其他一些体型也相当大的物种。例如，领航鲸，由于其体型和健壮的身体，有时会被误认为是逆戟鲸，是另一种大型海豚物种。领航鲸的体长可以达到20英尺（6米），以其深邃、智慧的眼睛和包括强烈家庭纽带在内的社会结构而闻名。

When discussing the smallest dolphins, the New Zealand dolphin and the vaquita, a species of porpoise, are indeed among the smallest. Both species have an average length of about 1.4 meters (4.6 feet), making them significantly smaller than the orca. These smaller species are often more elusive and less well-studied than their larger counterparts, but they are equally fascinating and important to the ecosystems they inhabit.
在讨论最小的海豚时，新西兰海豚和小头鼠海豚（一种鼠海豚）确实是最小的。这两个物种的平均长度约为1.4米（4.6英尺），使它们明显小于逆戟鲸。这些较小的物种通常比它们较大的同类更难捕捉和研究得较少，但它们同样迷人且对它们所栖息的生态系统同样重要。

In conclusion, the largest dolphin in the world is the orca, a magnificent creature that is not only the biggest of the dolphins but also an apex predator in marine ecosystems. Understanding the diversity within the dolphin family and the roles these animals play in their environments is crucial for the conservation and appreciation of these remarkable marine mammals.
总之，世界上最大的海豚是逆戟鲸，这是一种宏伟的生物，不仅在海豚中体型最大，而且还是海洋生态系统中的顶级捕食者。了解海豚家族内的多样性以及这些动物在它们的环境中所扮演的角色，对于保护和欣赏这些非凡的海洋哺乳动物至关重要。

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The biggest dolphin is the orca. Even though it is sometimes called a killer whale, it is in fact a member of the dolphin family. Pilot whales are also dolphins! In terms of length, the New Zealand dolphin and the vaquita (a species of porpoise) are probably the smallest at about 1.4 metres.read more >>