A robust animal, the Atlantic White Sided dolphin can be confused
with the White Beaked dolphin, though the dorsal region of the former is much darker in
colour, with a sharply pointed dorsal fin and flippers. A characteristic
appearance, their skin is black on the upper jaw, flippers and flukes as well as the
dorsal surface, with the lower jaw and undersides white. Grey on the sides of
its body, with the excpetion of a couple of stark stripes, just below the dorsal fin,
ranging from brilliant white to tan to yellow in colour. Fairly conspicuous at
sea, they fall into the acrobatic genus of Lagenorhynchus, for their energetic
behaviour.
Key Facts of the Atlantic White Sided Dolphin:
Adult length: This species measures an average length of 2.4 metres up to a maximum of 3 metres.
Adult weight: Average weight is usually around 190 kg, but it can reach 270 kg.
Lifespan: They are thought to have a life expectency of at least 27 years.
Habitat: These dolphins prefer in particular the cold waters of the North Atlantic ocean, but are also found along the United States' coastline, as well as the western Atlantic ocean and up to the north of the Mediterranean sea. They live in the sub-Arctic waters, with a surface temperature of around 6 to 20 degrees and a depth of 40 to 270 metres.
Group size: Atlantic White Sided dolphins travel in groups of 10 to 60, and sometimes even 1,000 individuals can be in one group! Group sizes vary on geographic location, with those in coastal waters numbering between six and eight, and those in the deep seas in the hundreds.
| Behaviour: Very
athletic and acrobatic, the Atlantic White Sided dolphin love to bow ride, and even ride
the bow of waves of larger species like the Humpback whale. They are
very out-going and gregarious, and often enjoy leaping completely out of the water as they
swim. Mass strandings have been noted, particularly along the New England
coastline. Reproduction: The female gives birth to a single calf every two to three years. Gestation is between ten and twelve months, and births tkae place in June and July. Whiles males reach puberty between the ages of four and six, females are attain full maturity by the age of nine when they measure 2.1 metres. Calves: Newborn calves measure between 105cm and 122 cm, weighing about 35 kg. |
| Diet & Feeding:
Eating approximately 9kg per day, this dolphin enjoys anchovies, herring, sardines, hake
and octopus, preferring to prey upon small schooling fish. Mackeral,
sand lace and silver hake also amke up part of its diet.
Noteable features: The Atlantic White Sided dolphin is a fast swimmer often travelling at speeds of 29 to 33 km/hour and emerges to breathe one or more times per minute. It is only occasionally to be seen approaching a ship to play in its waves. Subject to mass strandings on the northeastern American coast, these dolphins are often joined by Long-Finned Pilot Whales (Globicephala melas). Threats: Once hunted along the south western coast of Norway, about 1,000 dolphins were taken on two occasions and they are also sought after in Greenland. Hundreds of over 600 are known to be taken where groups are driven ashore as well. More often, these dolphins fall victim to fishing nets every year, and many are caught by harpoon. Population: Although this species is often hunted or unfortunate victims to fishing tackle, teh Atlantic White Sided dolphin is still a relatively common dolphin, at least near the coasts fo Newfoundland and Norway. Their estimated status in numbers is not known but in distinct areas they are common. |
Other Atlantic White Sided Dolphin Facts:
Each jaw has 30 to 40 pairs of teeth.
The Atlantic White Sided dolphin can be confused with many other ocean dolphins, such as the White Beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris).
