PHYLUM: Chordata
CLASS: Mammalia
ORDER: Cetacea
FAMILY: Delphinidae
GENUS: Cephalorhynchus
SPECIES: commersonii
TOOTHED or TOOTHLESS (BALEEN): Toothed
FRESHWATER, SALTERWATER or BRACKISH: Saltwater
HABITAT: Cold temperate and subantarctic waters of southern South America. Coastal waters.
LENGTH (maximum): 4-6 Ft
WEIGHT (maximum): 190 lbs
RELATIVE SPECIES: Hector’s Dolphin, Chilean dolphin
NEIGHBORING SPECIES: Chilean Dolphin, Burmeister’s porpoise.
PREDATORS: Humans
THREATS: Trapped in fishing gear. Used to be hunted and used for crab bait, this is now illegal but has greatly depleted the population.
DIET: Shrimp and small fish such as silversides, sardine and hake.
MANNER OF FEEDING: Encircle schools of fish and dart through the center. Sometimes herds fish to the shore where they become stranded. In captivity they are fed herring.
BEHAVIOR: Groups of 2-3, but sometimes more. Likes to play in waves and wakes. Will follow ships to bow ride. Enjoys acrobatic displays at the surface. Swims upside down and spins underwater.
REPRODUCTION: Gestation is about 12 months. Calves are born from October to March.
LIFE SPAN: At least 18 years
COOL/GROSS/WEIRD:
- Can be seen in captivity.
- Young dolphins grow very fast.
- Very distinct white and black markings.
SOURCES:
- Knopf, Alfred A. Guide to Marine Mammals of the World.Random House. 2002
-TSF-
