Dusky Dolphin

Kingdom: Animal

Phylum: Phylum Chordata

Class: Mammal

Family: Oceanic dolphins

Order: Artiodactyls

Genus: White-sided dolphins

Species Name: Lagenorhynchus Obscurus

Known subspecies: Fitzroy's dolphin, African dusky dolphin, Peruvian/Chilean dusky dolphin, and New Zealand dusky dolphins

Species been in existence: 6-7 million years

Closest living relative: Pacific white-sided dolphin

Three ancestors: Pacific white-sides dolphin and Peale's dolphin

Look like phyiscally: Medium size, with a bluish-black back and tail, and a white underside. They have a cone-shaped face, a short beak, and a tall, curved dorsal fin

Size range: 1.6 - 2.1 meters (5-7 feet) in length

Average weight: 280 lbs

Lifespan: Wild is estimated to live for around 20-30 years and in captivity is limited but generally considered to be shorter than in the wild

Main differences between male and females: Curvate of their dorsal fins

Natural habitat: Temperate and subarctic waters between around 26 S and 55 N

Plants: Microscopic phytoplankton

Share the same habitat: Dolphins, whales, seals, and seabirds

Temperature range: 10 C to 18 C (50 F to 64 F)

Type of terrain prefer: Cool, coastal water near continetal shelves and slopes

Continents found: South America, Africa (Southwestern), and New Zealand

Invasive species: No, dusky dolphins are not considered an invasive species in any area

Eat: A variety of fish and squid, including anchovies, hake, lantern fish, and pilchards

Need to eat: As often as they need to

Capture or obtain food: Move offshore at night to dive in deeper waters to catch fish and squid

Unique food: A variety of fish and squid species

Packs or solo: Live in groups, called pods, and are rarely seen alone

Role community: Keeping their environment in balance

Lead by male or female: Males and females

Makes up the groups: Juveniles

Interact with each other: Cooperatively feed together on schooling fish and often display spectacular acrobatic behavior, including chases and high water leaps and aerial displays

Often do they mate: During spring

How many mates: Year-round

Time of year: In the spring

Behaviors or rituals exhibited: Males engaging in aggressive displays to attract female, including chasing and body count, while female may actively evade unwanted advances

Produce at a time: One offspring/baby

Stages of development: Juvenile, adolescent, and adult

Reach sexual maturity: Between 4 and 8 years old

Characteristics between male and females: Male dusky dolphins are slightly larger than females, and have a more curved dorsal fins

Key differences between females and males: A female dusky dolphins grows to a maximum length of 1.93 m, while the male dusky dolphins are slightly alrger with a maximum length of 2.1 m

Main predators: Killer whales and some shark species

Sexual competition compete with dealth: The competition in dusky dolphins are sperm competition

Diseases: A wide range of diseases and parasites have also been documented in dusky dolphins

Other causes to their dealth: Killer whales and some shark species

Types of competition with their own species: Seem to avoid resources competition by using dietary, behavorial, and habitat

Types of competition with other species: 

Invasive species affect: Alternating their food sources, competiting for habitat, introducing new diseases, and disrupting the overall ecosystem balance

IUCN rating: Least concern

Factors contributing to this rating: Despite some threats like bycatch in fishing nets, their populations are generally considered large, stable, and not facing significant levels of human-induced threats across their wide distractions