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Dusky Dolphins can be seen swimming mainly in the coastal waters of the southern hemisphere in places like Africa, New Zealand, South America, and a few other islands, although they sometimes swim in offshore waters as well. They are known for their highly acrobatic behaviors, performing a combination of leaps, somersaults, flips, and spins, and can learn to perform these tricks by watching more experienced dolphins play.
See the fact file below for more information on the Dusky Dolphin or alternatively, you can download our 33-page Dusky Dolphin worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
GENERAL FACTS
- This species of dolphin, originally known as ‘Fitzroy’s dolphin’ by Charles Darwin, is a small and compact species.
- The Dusky dolphin’s back and tail are dusky bluish-black in color, with a dark streak running diagonally across the flanks to the tail.
- The animal is related to the Pacific White Sided dolphin. Despite this, scientific studies have discovered a number of differences between the two, allowing them to be classified as two distinct species.
- The absence of a beak, as well as the evenly sloping head from the
- blowhole to the tip of the snout, are two of the most distinguishing features of the Dusky dolphin.
- Males and females both have a dorsal fin, but the males are more curved.
- Dusky Dolphins are named for their stunning coloring. Their backs are dark grey to black, whereas their bellies are white. Their sides are a lighter gray, while their heads are slender and swish and appear as if theyβre carrying a dark mask.
- Dusky dolphins have a special blowhole on the top of their heads that allows them to expel air and water from their lungs. They can dive for up to 90 seconds at a time.
- They are fast, agile swimmers and they jump high in the air.
- They communicate with one another through their jumps and their sounds, helping each other to catch their prey.
- The male dusky dolphin is referred to as a bull, while the female dolphin is referred to as a cow.
- A newborn dusky dolphin is called a calf.
- Dusky Dolphin is a carnivore mammal. They feed primarily on fish such as anchovies and sardines. They also eat squids, octopuses and a variety of crustaceans, including shrimp.
- The meat of Dusky Dolphins contains mercury, but they are not poisonous. However, when consumed in large quantities, this can cause harm to us.
HABITAT
- Dusky dolphins are often found in coastal and temperate waters everywhere in the southern hemisphere. They seem to like coastal waters on the continental shelf or the continental slope. However, they also live in deeper water close to the shore. They can be found off the coasts of New Zealand, South America, Southwest Africa, and some oceanic island groups. The four taxonomic groups are separated geographically, generally by an entire ocean. The body size of these different subspecies varies greatly, with the largest dusky dolphins being found off the coast of Peru.
CHARACTERISTICS
- The Dusky Dolphin is small, measuring 6 to 6 1/2 feet in length.
- They weigh between 150 and 187 pounds.
- In terms of body design, they differ from other dolphin species. They have a small head with an even shape and no beak at the end of their snout. On the back and the fluke, the color is black or dark blue. They have a dark bank that runs diagonally to the fluke and along the flanks. The snout and lower jaw are darkly colored, while the belly is white.
- There is a dark gray color from the flipper to the eye. From the fluke to the dorsal fin, they have white or cream stripes.
- Males have a more curved dorsal fin than females. However, because these species of dolphin’s genders are so similar, it can be not easy to tell.
- Dusky Dolphins have teeth on both their lower and upper jaws. In the lower and upper areas, however, the number of pairs is not equal. The lower jaw has two additional sets than the upper. There could be anywhere between 24 and 36 teeth, all of which will be pointed and small.
INTERNAL PARTS
- The Dusky Dolphin is one of the many species of dolphins that belongs to the Delphinidae family. Letβs take a look at the internal parts of this dolphin and learn more about its functions.
- Brain. Spindle neurons, a type of brain cell found in dolphins, are highly specialized. These are linked to advanced skills like recognizing, recalling, logic, communicating, perceiving, adapting to change, problem-solving, and comprehension.
- The scapula is solely responsible for connecting the fin bones. The lung helps the dolphin stay underwater for a long time. Spinal columns are remnants of their artiodactyl origins.
- The Dorsal Fin provides stability to dolphins at high speed. Dolphins can breathe and exhale communicative sounds through their blowhole.
- Insulation and buoyancy are provided by the blubber surrounding the dolphin’s torso. Melon helps dolphins with their echolocation.
- Dolphin’s dual flippers assist in propelling its mass through the water while also maintaining balance. The tail fin’s streamlining is aided by the median notch.
- The fluke is also known as the tail fin of the dolphin.
MATING
- Polygynandrous (promiscuous) mating is the norm for these dolphins. Females mate with multiple males and males mate with numerous females in this mating system.
- Males of this species typically compete for mating rights. Males may become more aggressive with other males during this period.
- Age is less important than overall size when it comes to mating.
- The temperature of the water, food availability, and stress are also factors.
- The mating season is in the spring, and the gestation period is 11 months long, with a single baby born between June and August.
- The female suckles the young until they learn to hunt with their mother at around 18 months of age.
- Young dolphins usually stay with their mother for the first three years of their lives, after which they leave the female, who is then able to mate again. When they go, young dolphins join bachelor groups or form their pods with males.
- They reach sexual maturity between the ages of 4 and 5.
BEHAVIOR
- Dusky dolphins are frequently seen in groups of 6 to 15, with feeding aggregations of up to 300 individuals. The groups consist of various ages and genders. For at least a few days, groups usually stay together. The Dusky Dolphin is one of the most social dolphins. They’ve been seen helping other dolphin species in distress and humans.
- They sleep in small groups of 6-15 animals offshore. They go out in groups in the morning to look for food, swimming in a line 10 meters apart. They may concentrate their feeding in one area by mid-afternoon, and they interact socially through play and sexual activity.
- Playing and leaping is very important to dusky dolphins, and they often leap in groups. Boats appeal to dusky dolphins in particular. They can reach speeds of up to 20 knots while swimming.
- Aerial displays by dusky dolphins include leaps, head-first re-entries, and acrobatic leaps. Young dusky dolphins do not appear to be born with the ability to make the leaps and must learn to master each one. Adults may perform different jumps in different situations, and calves may learn to leap independently. Squeaks, clicks, whistles, and squeals are ways they communicate with one another.
DIET
- Their diet varies depending on their size and habitat, but it primarily consists of small fish such as anchovies and hake, as well as squid and shrimp. The most common feeding mode is on the surface, but they also feed on the seabed.
- This species of dolphin prefers to hunt at night. This activity is carried out in large groups of up to 300 dolphins, to establish organized strategies for efficient hunting. To be successful, they rely on their communication abilities, echolocation, and a variety of strategies.
- Echolocation is a technique used by dolphins and whales to determine the distance, direction, speed, density, and size of an object. Squeezing air through nasal passages near the blowhole creates high-pitched clicking sounds. Because the echolocating sounds are so loud, dolphins and whales have their ears shielded. It allows dolphins and toothed whales to see in muddy waters or deep ocean depths, and it may have evolved to chase squid and other deep-diving species.
THREATS
- The dusky dolphin has been a target of both accidental and intentional catches in the past, contributing to population declines. Thousands of dolphins are killed each year in Peru for human consumption, which is a serious problem.
- One of the most common causes of death for the small dusky dolphin is predation by killer whales (orcas) and sharks.
- Bycatch from gillnets and other fishing gear, on the other hand, drastically reduces population sizes, particularly in Argentina and New Zealand.
- Contamination of the waters near the coasts, where these dolphins live, and their low reproduction rate, all contribute to a negative outlook.
- This one may seem strange, as you’d think these agile creatures could quickly move out of the way of any approaching boats. However, with an ever-increasing number of ships on the water and dolphins’ proclivity to bow ride and show interest in ships, the number of boat strikes is on the rise.
- Hunting. This is most common in South America, whereby some dusky dolphins are still hunted for their meat. Despite the fact that commercial hunting has largely ended, these cetaceans remain vulnerable to hunters.
Dusky Dolphin Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Dusky Dolphin across 33 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use the Dusky Dolphin which are known for their highly acrobatic behaviors, performing a combination of leaps, somersaults, flips, and spins, and can learn to perform these tricks by watching more experienced dolphins play.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Dusky Dolphin Facts
- Dusky Quiz!
- Duskynomy!
- Dusky Yay! Or Dusky Nay!
- I am Dolphin Inside
- Dusky Crossing
- I am Dusky!
- Locate Me!
- We are Dolphins
- Learning Dusky!
- Saving Dusky
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dusky dolphins playful?
Playing and leaping are very important to dusky dolphins, and they often leap in groups. Boats appeal to dusky dolphins in particular. They can reach speeds of up to 20 knots while swimming.
What do dusky dolphins eat?
Their diet varies depending on their size and habitat, but it primarily consists of small fish such as anchovies and hake, as well as squid and shrimp. The most common feeding mode is on the surface, but they also feed on the seabed.
Where are dusky dolphins found?
Dusky dolphins are often found in coastal and temperate waters everywhere in the southern hemisphere. They seem to like coastal waters on the continental shelf or the continental slope.
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