dusky dolphin facts
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http://goo.gl/dFNt6 - Dusky Dolphin Facts (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) The Dusky Dolphin is very closely related to the Pacific White Sided Dolphin. However, the scientific studies conducted show that there are enough variations for them to be classified as two separate species. - Visit us: http://goo.gl/ZkZz7Facebook: http://facebook.com/bioexpeditionTwitter: http://twitter.com/bioexpeditionYoutube: http://youtube.com/bioexpeditionPinterest: http://pinterest.com/bioexpeditionTRANSCRIPT
DUSKY DOLPHIN FACTSLagenorhynchus obscurus
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Dusky Dolphin
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Dusky Dolphin
IT’S FOUND IN COASTAL WATERS IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.
IT IS VERY CLOSELY GENETICALLY RELATED TO THE PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN
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Anatomy
DUSKY DOLPHINS ARE SMALL AND MODERATELY ROBUST.
THEY ARE UP TO 6 FEET IN LENGTH AND 210 POUNDS IN WEIGH.
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Anatomy
A DUSKY DOLPHIN HAS A BLUISH-BLACK TAIL AND BACK.
THE UNDERSIDE IS WHITE AND THE TIPS OF THE SNOUT AND LOWER JAW ARE DARK.
THEY HAVE 24-36 PAIRS OF SMALL TEETH.
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Habitat
THE DUSKY DOLPHIN IS A COASTAL SPECIES.
USUALLY FOUND OVER CONTINENTAL SHELVES AND SLOPES.
DUSKY DOLPHINS ARE USUALLY FOUND IN WARM TO COOL TEMPERATE WATERS
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Habitat
THE LAGENORHYNCHUS OBSCURUS COVERS THE COASTS OF
SOUTH AMERICAAUSTRALIAAFRICATASMANIANEW ZEALANDOCEANIA ISLANDS.
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Behavior
THE DUSKY DOLPHIN IS A VERY SOCIAL SPECIES.
THEY ARE USUALLY FOUND IN GROUPS BETWEEN 25 AND 500 INDIVIDUALS, BUT HAVE BEEN OCCASIONALLY SEEN IN LARGER GROUPS OF UP TO 1000 INDIVIDUALS.
DUSKY DOLPHINS ARE HIGHLY CURIOUS AND USUALLY EASY TO APPROACH.
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Behavior
THIS DOLPHIN IS KNOWN FOR ITS REMARKABLE AERIAL ACROBATICS.
THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOUNDS ARE PRODUCED BY DUSKY DOLPHINS: CLICK TRAINS, BURST PULSES AND WHISTLES.
THEY ARE ESPECIALLY ATTRACTED TO BOATS. REACHING SPEEDS UP TO 20 KNOTS.
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Feeding
THE MAIN PREY SPECIES OF DUSKY DOLPHINS INCLUDE:
ANCHOVYSHRIMPSQUIDVARIETY OF FISH.
THIS SPECIES MAY ALSO FEED AT NIGHT.
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Feeding
DUSKY DOLPHINS ARE USUALLY COORDINATE HUNTERS. CO-OPERATIVE FEEDING IS PERFORMED REGULARLY IN SOME AREAS.
THESE DOLPHINS USE THEIR ECHOLOCATION TO DETECT AND ISOLATE AN INDIVIDUAL PREY.
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Reproduction
MATING IS BELIEVED TO OCCUR IN SPRING.
MATING GROUPS ARE GENERALLY MADE OF AROUND TEN MALES AND A SINGLE FEMALE.
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Reproduction
A SINGLE CALF IS BORN AFTER A GESTATION PERIOD OF 11 MONTHS.
THE CALF RANGES IN BODY LENGTH FROM 55 TO 70 CENTIMETRES AT BIRTH.
THE LACTATION PERIOD LASTS FOR 18 MONTHS.
CALVES ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO PREDATORS LIKE KILLER WHALES AND SHARKS
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Threats
THOUSANDS OF DUSKY DOLPHINS ARE KILLED ANNUALLY BY THE SMALL-CETACEAN FISHERY IN PERU.
THE INCIDENTAL CATCH, POLLUTION AND TOURISM ARE THE GREATEST THREATS TO THE DUSKY DOLPHIN.
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Threats
DUSKY DOLPHINS ARE LISTED AS DATA DEFICIENT BY THE IUCN BUT ARE PROTECTED IN MUCH OF ITS RANGE.
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