PHYLUM: Chordata
CLASS: Mammalia
ORDER: Cetacea
FAMILY: Delphinidae
GENUS: Lagenorhynchus
SPECIES: cruciger
TOOTHED or TOOTHLESS (BALEEN): Toothed
FRESHWATER, SALTERWATER or BRACKISH: Saltwater
HABITAT: Offshore waters in the southern hemisphere. Polar regions
LENGTH (maximum): 6Ft
WEIGHT (maximum): Unknown
RELATIVE SPECIES: Dusky dolphin, white-sided dolphins, Peale’s dolphin
NEIGHBORING SPECIES: Killer whale, Long-finned Pilot whale
PREDATORS: Humans
THREATS: Rarely caught in gillnets.
DIET: Small fish and squid
MANNER OF FEEDING: Feeding often occurs in large groups of cetaceans and sea birds.
BEHAVIOR: Quick energetic movements. Likes to bow ride and play in wakes from boats. Usually travel in groups of 4-7 but occasionally in groups of up to 100. Often seen with fin whales.
REPRODUCTION: Unknown
LIFE SPAN: Unknown
COOL/GROSS/WEIRD:
- The only polar dolphin.
- Can be mistaken for penguins.
- Markings resemble an hourglass.
SOURCES:
- Knopf, Alfred A. Guide to Marine Mammals of the World.Random House. 2002
- http://www.cms.int/reports/small_cetaceans/data/L_cruciger/L_cruciger.htm
-TSF-
