Heaviside's Dolphin
Heaviside's Dolphin
Heaviside's Dolphin
Off the coast of South Africa, in the cold waters, lives a small dolphin with markings reminiscent of the orca. This is the Heaviside's dolphin. They are incredibly active and delight us with their acrobatic movements. Let's explore the ecology of Heaviside's dolphin, the environment they inhabit, and their relationship with humans.
Heaviside's Dolphin Basic Infomation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cephalorhynchus heavisidii |
| Taxonomic Status | ACCEPTED |
| Rank | SPECIES |
| Vernacular Names | Heaviside's Dolphin |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Cetartiodactyla |
| Family | Delphinidae |
| Genus | Cephalorhynchus |
| Habitats | Coastal waters of South Africa |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Size
They are about 4 to 5.6 feet (1.2 to 1.7 meters) long and weigh about 88 to 143 pounds (40 to 65 kilograms). They are one of the smallest dolphin species. Females are slightly larger than males.
Lifespan
Their lifespan in the wild is estimated to be about 20 years.
Distribution
They are endemic to South Africa, found only along the west and south coasts. They prefer cold waters and are often seen in shallow coastal areas.
Heaviside's Dolphin Q&A
What kind of dolphin is the Heaviside's dolphin?
The Heaviside's dolphin is a small dolphin species belonging to the genus Cephalorhynchus.
As their name suggests, they have a striking black and white coloration, resembling that of an orca. They are also known as 'Heaviside's dolphins' in English, named after Captain Haviside, a British surgeon who first discovered them in the 19th century. They are endemic to the cold waters of South Africa. They are incredibly active dolphins, known for their high leaps from the water, spinning movements, and playful nature. They can swim at speeds of over 43 miles per hour (70 kilometers per hour)!
What do Heaviside's dolphins eat?
Heaviside's dolphins are carnivores, mainly feeding on fish, squid, and crustaceans.
They use their sharp teeth to catch their prey. They sometimes hunt alone, but they often hunt cooperatively in groups, herding and encircling their prey. They also use echolocation to find their prey, emitting sound waves to understand their surroundings and pinpoint the location of their prey.
[Quiz!] Why do Heaviside's dolphins have a pattern similar to orcas?
Heaviside's dolphins are born gray, but as they grow older, they develop a distinctive black and white two-tone coloration.
This coloration is thought to be a form of camouflage in the ocean. The black and white pattern helps them blend in with the sunlight near the surface and with the dark shadows near the seabed. This makes it harder for predators to spot them and also allows them to approach their prey undetected. This pattern is remarkably similar to that of the orca, a much larger whale, which is why they are called 'Heaviside's dolphins.'
[Quiz!] Are Heaviside's dolphins endangered?
Heaviside's dolphins are listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.
This means they are not currently endangered. However, there are concerns about the impact of bycatch from fisheries and marine pollution. To protect Heaviside's dolphins, it is crucial to regulate fishing and reduce marine pollution.
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Heaviside's Dolphin Type of List
Characteristics of Heaviside's Dolphins
- About 4 to 5.6 feet (1.2 to 1.7 meters) long
- Weigh about 88 to 143 pounds (40 to 65 kilograms)
- Black and white two-tone coloration
- Very active
- Fast swimmers
- Found only in the cold waters of South Africa
- Least Concern (LC), but bycatch from fisheries and marine pollution are concerns
Information
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Heaviside's Dolphin References
Heaviside's Dolphin Introduction of media used
Jutta Luft, CC BY-SA 3.0, ウィキメディア・コモンズ経由で
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Heaviside's Dolphin
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