| Shyness is as good an explanation as any: Fraser’s dolphins were first collected as scientific specimens in the 1970s. They are found in tropical waters in many parts of the world, but tend to flee from ships. They also quickly die in captivity. They are striking animals, with a very short beak, small dorsal fin, small flippers, and a broad black streak along the side. At a distance, thThey can be mistaken for striped dolphins, which also have a stripe along the side. Most of the fish they feed on stay deep underwater, which suggests that the dolphins make deep dives to feed. They are seen in schools of 100-1,000, but not enough is known about their natural history to say whether these groups are male, female, or mixed-sex groups. Newborns are about a meter long.
Also known as:
Sarawak Dolphin, Short-snouted Whitebelly Porpoise, Delfín de Fraser
Length:
Range:
2.3-2.7 m males; 2.1-2.6 m females
Weight:
Range:
164-209 kg
References:
Fraser, F.C., 1956. A new Sarawak dolphin, p. 496. Sarawak Museum Journal, 7:478-503.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
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