The heaviside's dolphin lives in remote areas and is generally shy. Their bodies are similar to hector's dolphins. They have small, triangular like dorsal fins. However, the leading edges of their dorsal fins are longer than the trailing edges. These dolphins have been seen bow-riding, wake-riding, and escorting ships. It appears that some pods have home ranges and do not travel far outside these ran

Scientific Name: Cephalorhynchus heavisided
Other Names: South African Dolphin, Benguela Dolphin
Length: 5.3-5.8 ft. (1.6-1.7 m.)
Weight: 90-165 lbs. (40-75 kg.)
Teeth: 88-114

Description: Heaviside's Dolphin is small and stocky. The fore half of the body is uniformly grey in colour, with the dorsal cape, fin, flanks and keel being dark blue-black. A similarly-coloured stripe runs from the blowhole to the cape. The flippers and eye patch are the same colour. The beak is indistinct, and there are 44-56 teeth in each jaw. The underside is white, with white 'armpits' behind the flippers and a rhombus shape on the chest. A finger-shaped patch extends from the belly along each flank. Adults grow to around 1.7m in length and weigh around 60-70kg.

Recognition at sea: Due to the striking combination of colours, Heaviside's Dolphins are not likely to be confused with any other species.

Habitat: Heaviside's Dolphins prefer coastal waters of less than 150m deep.

Food & Feeding: Heaviside's Dolphins seem to prey on fish, though information about this is limited.

Behaviour: This species is normally found in units of between 2-10 animals, and occasionally up to 30 individuals gather together for a short amount of time.

Longevity: Unknown.

Estimated Current Population: Unknown.

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