List of mammals of the Mediterranean Sea

Last updated October 15, 2025

The marine mammal species of the Mediterranean Sea includes 28 distinct species who have been observed, including 12 resident species: 11 cetaceans and one seal. In addition, it is common to find wandering individuals from other Atlantic species, such as the false killer whale, the Atlantic spotted dolphin, or the common minke whale, among others.^[1]

Order: Carnivora

Family: Phocidae

Genus: Monachus
- Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachusEN

Order: Artiodactyla

Infraorder: Cetacea

Family: Balaenopteridae

Genus: Balaenoptera
- Fin whale, Balaenoptera physalusVU

Family: Delphinidae

Genus: Delphinus
- Common dolphin, Delphinus delphisLC

Genus: Globicephala
- Long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melasLC

Genus: Grampus
- Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseusLC

Genus: Orcinus
- Orca, Orcinus orcaDD

Genus: Stenella
- Striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalbaLC

Genus: Steno
- Rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensisLC

Genus: Tursiops
- Common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatusLC

Family: Phocoenidae

Genus: Phocoena
- Harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoenaLC

Family: Physeteridae

Genus: Physeter
Sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalusLC

Family: Ziphidae

Genus: Ziphius
- Cuvier's beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostrisLC

References

↑ Notarbartolo di Sciara, Giuseppe (2016-01-01). Academic Press (ed.). Marine Mammals in the Mediterranean Sea: An Overview. Mediterranean Marine Mammal Ecology and Conservation. Vol. 75. pp. 1–36.

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[1] Notarbartolo di Sciara, Giuseppe (2016-01-01). Academic Press (ed.). Marine Mammals in the Mediterranean Sea: An Overview. Mediterranean Marine Mammal Ecology and Conservation. Vol. 75. pp. 1–36.

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