Home Shop Freebies Info DolphinHut
Dolphin Info  
 
Sponsored Links
 
 
Sign up for the Dolphin Hut Newsletter. Your email will not be shared with other parties.
Email:
 
 

Dolphin Species: Hourglass Dolphin
Delphinus cruciger

Local Names: Wilson's Dolphin (after the Antarctic explorer); Southern White-Sided Dolphin; Delfin Cruzado (Spanish).

Appearance
Hourglass Dolphins are essentially black and white in a crude hourglass pattern. The short beak is black, as are the flippers, dorsal fin and flukes. There us a dark patch around each eye. The cape and sides are also black, the latter interrupted by two white patches which are joined in a criss-cross 'hourglass' shape. The underside is also white. There is a strongly curved keel under the tail stock. It is thought that Hourglass Dolphins reach a maximum length of between 1.6-1.8m.

Recognition at sea
Due to the striking pattern of colours, Hourglass Dolphins are not likely to be confused with any other species.

Habitat
Hourglass Dolphins prefer deep pelagic waters with a surface temperature of 1-10ºC.

Food & Feeding
It is thought that Hourglass Dolphins prey on small fish.

Behavior
This species is normally found in units of between 1-6 animals, and occasionally up to 40 individuals gather together for a short amount of time. They associate with Fin Whales and Southern Bottlenose Whales and are highly active. They are well-known for bowriding, and when porpoising they create a highly visible spray. They are commonly seen travelling through a series of low-angled leaps.

Longevity
Unknown.

Estimated Current Population
Unknown.

 

 

Dolphin Info:  
» Dolphin Facts  
» Dolphin Body  
» Dolphin Species  
» Dolphin Behavior  
» Communicating  
» Dolphin Diet  
» Eating Methods  
» Dolphin Evolution  
» Breathing  
» Dolphin Intelligence  
» Dolphin Interacting  
» Pink Dolphin  
» Body Language  
» Sleeping  
» Social Behavior  
» Vocalizing  
» Dolphins & Whales