| With no dorsal fin, a slender body shape that tapers steadily toward the tail, and small flippers and flukes, the northern right whale dolphin appears to be built for speed. It has been clocked at 34 km per hour and can dive as deep as 200 m to feed on deepwater fish. The species is common in deep waters of the continental shelf, or offshore waters, and it also occurs in large numbers where undersea canyons bring deep waters near the coast. It is known only from temperate North Pacific waters.
Also known as:
Northern Right Whale Porpoise
Length:
Range:
2-3.1 m males; 2-2.6 m females
Weight:
Range:
up to 113 kg
References:
Peale, T.R., 1848. U.S. exploring expeditions 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842 under the command of Charles Wilkes, U.S.N., Mammalogy and Ornithology, 8:35. Asherman and Co., Philadelphia, 8:1-338.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
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