PEALE'S DOLPHIN Lagenorhynchus australis
Peale’s dolphin is the most likely cetacean to be seen around the Falklands. They are inquisitive and will bow-ride vessels and small boats. They are coastal species that is also found on the coasts of neighbouring Chile and Argentina, not common north of 44⁰S, and is found as far south as Drake Passage and 59⁰S. Peale’s are associated with kelp forests and deep water near kelp beds, offshore banks and rocky shores. They are often described as ‘entrance’ animals as they tend to favour swift-flowing confluences, channel entrances and narrows. In the Falklands they seem to be restricted to shelf waters less than 2m deep.
Peale’s dolphins have dark faces, they are often called ‘black chinned’ and have a small, dark beak. The dorsal fin is in the middle of the back and tends to be darker in the front with a lighter grey rear third. Individuals vary in colour, but have a white belly, a black back and tail, and a complex grey, black and white pattern. Males grow to 2.16m long, females to 2.1m.
For food they appear versatile, taking demersal fish, squid, octopus, molluscs and crustaceans. They typically occur in small groups of 2-7 and feed cooperatively in straight lines or circular formations.The Falkland Islands Marine Mammals Ordinance 1992 protects all marine mammals in all waters from the coast to the edge of the economic exclusion zone. |
Sources include: Sea Mammals of the World-Randall R. Reeves, Brent S. Steware, Phillip J Clapham, James A Powell,Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 Otley H, Munro G, Clausen A, Ingham B. Wikipedia, Falklands Conservation, A Complete Guide to Antarctic Wildlife- Hadoram Shirihai, The World's Whales-Minasian, Balcomb lll, Foster.A Field Guide to the Wildlife of The Falkland Islands and South Georgia - Ian J Strange
Photographic credits: Johnny Giese/Shutterstock.com
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