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Northern Right-Whale Dolphin Northern right-whale dolphin
Scientific Name: Lissodelphis borealis
Other Names: Pacific Rightwhale Porpoise
Length: 6.5-9.8 ft. (2-3 m.)
Weight: approx. 130-220 lbs. (60-100 kg.)
Teeth: 150-200
 

Right-whale dolphins have slender beaks and no dorsal fins. The upper surface of their bodies are black, but there is a large white patch on the belly between the flippers and a long narrow streak of white extending from this to the flukes. The white in the southern form is more extensive than the northern form. The lower jaw of the northern right whale dolphin extends beyond the tip of the upper jaw.
 



  Pacific White-Sided Dolphin Picture of a pacific white-sided dolphin
Scientific Name: Lagenorhynchus obliquidens
Other Names: White-striped Dolphin
Length: 5.8-8 ft. (1.7-2.4 m.)
Weight: 185-330 lbs. (85-150 kg.)
Teeth: 84-130
 

Pacific White-Sided dolphins often associate with other cetaceans. They are active and demonstrative animals. These dolphins have been seen leaping clear out of the water, cavorting, and almost anything else to make a splash. Pacific White-Sided dolphins have a soft, subtle color pattern. The patterns vary greatly between individuals. They also resemble dusky dolphins.
 



  Pantropical Spotted Dolphin Picture of a pantropical spotted dolphin
Scientific Name: Stenella attenuata
Other Names: White-spotted dolphin, Bridled dolphin, Slender beaked dolphin
Length: 5.8-7.5 ft. (1.7-2 m.)
Weight: 200-255 lbs. (90-115 kg.)
Teeth: 140-190
 

Pantropical spotted dolphins vary greatly in shape, size, and color. There are currently two major forms of this dolphin. One lives in coastal waters and the other in offshore waters. The offshore form is usually less robust, smaller, and has less spots. Not all spotted dolphins have spots. Newborn pantropical spotted dolphins are born without spots and gain their spots as they reach maturity. There are also some populations that do not possess spots, even in adulthood. Pantropical spotted dolphins are very active animals. They swim quickly, lobtail, bowride, and frequently breach. These dolphins often associate with whitefin tuna, therefore, many fishermen seek out these dolphins to catch the tuna. Unfortunately, in many cases, these dolphins are also caught in the nets with the tuna.
 



  Peale's Dolphin Picture of a peale's dolphin
Scientific Name: Lagenorhynchus australis
Other Names: Blackchin Dolphin, Southern Dolphin
Length: 6.5-7.3 ft. (2-2.4 m.)
Weight: approx. 255 lbs. (115 kg.)
Teeth: 108-132
 

This species inhabits remote areas of the southern hemisphere. Observation of this species is very hard, therefore, we have little information about them. There are only about twenty specimens known. They have been seen in the company of risso's dolphins. There are concerns about peale's dolphins being caught in fish nets and being hunted with harpoons for use as crab bait.
 



  Pygmy Killer Whale Pigmy killer whale
Sceintific Name: Feresa attenuata
Other Names: Slender Pilot Whale
Length: 7-8.5 ft. (2.1-2.6 m.)
Weight: approx. 240-375 lbs. (110-170 kg.)
Teeth: 36-50
 

The dorsal fin is high and the flippers are long and thin. There is little know about the Pygmy Killer Whale and it is rarely seen in the wild. This species is known to avoid boats, however, there have been reports of them bow-riding, wake-riding, logging, spyhopping, lobtailing, and breaching. Pods usually swim abreast and when alarmed, they bunch together and swim away. They are also known to be aggressive in captivity.
 



  Risso's Dolphin Picture of a risso's dolphin
Scientific Name: Grampus griseus
Other Names: White-head Grampus, Grampus, Grey Dolphin
Length: 8.5-12.5 ft. (1.3-1.7 m.)
Weight: 660-1,100 lbs. (300-500 kg.)
Teeth: 4-14
 

This species has achieved modest fame through the exploits of 'Pelorus Jack', a Risso's dolphin that used to escort ships crossing Cook Strait between the two main islands of New Zealand between 1888 and 1912. He/she would meet nearly every ship between the two islands and escort them for several miles, riding the bow waves and/or cavorting along side. In recognition of this, the New Zealand legislature granted Pelorus Jack full governmental protection.
Most adult risso's dolphins are badly marked with scars, apparently caused by the teeth of other risso's dolphins. Their bodies are broad in front of the dorsal fin and tapers off behind it and there is a characteristic crease down the center of the forehead to the lip.


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