PHYLUM: Chordata
CLASS: Mammalia
ORDER: Cetacea
FAMILY: Delphinidae
GENUS: Lissodelphis
SPECIES: peronii
TOOTHED or TOOTHLESS (BALEEN): Toothed
FRESHWATER, SALTERWATER or BRACKISH: Saltwater
HABITAT: Southern Hemisphere, off the coast of Australia, New Zeland, southern parts of Africa and South America
LENGTH (maximum): 7-10 Ft
WEIGHT (maximum): 260 lbs
RELATIVE SPECIES: Northern Right Whale Dolphin
NEIGHBORING SPECIES: Long-finned pilot whale, Dusky dolphin
PREDATORS: Humans
THREATS: Hunting, accidental catch.
DIET: Lanternfish, other small fish and squid
MANNER OF FEEDING: Hunt in large pods.
BEHAVIOR: Very fast and energetic. Breaching, tail slapping, bursts of speed. Can be found in groups up to 1,000. Often seen with pilot whales and Dusky Dolphins. Occasionally ride wakes of ships
REPRODUCTION: Unknown
LIFE SPAN: Unknown
COOL/GROSS/WEIRD:
- Different from other right whale dolphins only by distribution and color markings.
- No dorsal fin.
- Most easily distinguished dolphins.
SOURCES:
- Knopf, Alfred A. Guide to Marine Mammals of the World.Random House. 2002
- http://www.cms.int/reports/small_cetaceans/data/L_peronii/l_perronii.htm
-TSF-
