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Scientific Name:
Cephalorhynchus commersonii
Other Names: Piebald Dolphin, Skunk Dolphin, Jacobite
Length: 4.3-5.8 ft. (1.3-1.7 m.)
Weight: 75-130 lbs. (35-60 kg.)
Teeth: 106-140
The commerson's
dolphin is actually very similar to a porpoise. They inhabit the waters of the
southern hemisphere. Paddle like flippers, short rounded dorsal fins, and wide
flukes are all characteristics of commerson's dolphins. Calves are born all
gray, black, and brown, however, they develop adult markings as they mature.
Male and female dolphins have different black patches on their undersides. The
patches of males are shaped like raindrops and the patches on females are shaped
like horseshoes.
Location:
Southern Argentine waters of South America.
Habitat: Aquatic.
Coastal waters, bays, and fjords.
Description: The
forehead is less pronounced than that of many other dolphins, but the
distinctive coloring makes it easy to identify. The head and dorsal part from
the fin up to and including the tail are black while the rest of the body is
white. It has 30 small pointed teeth, on each side of each jaw, above and below.
This dolphin only grows to a length of about 5 ft, and weighs only about 110
pounds.
Behavior: Little is
known about this dolphin, and sightings are rare. It lives in small groups of 3
to 5 individuals and feeds on krill and small fishes. The shape of the mouth
suggests that it does not eat large prey. It does not seem to have a migratory
pattern, and it readily enters the mouths of rivers even if the water there is
cloudy and muddy, unlike the other dolphins, which carefully avoid such
environments.
Reproduction:
Unknown.
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