Hourglass Dolphin

Lagenorhynchus cruciger

FIELD MARKS:
dolphinlike
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to 1.6-1.8m
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white hourglass shape from eye to tail
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black above and white beneath
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fast-swimming
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compare with White-Beaked Dolphin

Note

This dolphin lives in small groups and its food preferences are unknown.

The world population of hourglass dolphins is unknown.

Description

An attractive, fast-swimming animal with characteristic coloration - black above and white beneath but with a white 'hourglass' shape interrupting the black flanks, from eye to tail.

90-120kg

Habitat

Sightings suggest that the hourglass dolphin is only found in polar waters of the southern hemisphere: perhaps right up to the icecap.

Rarely are specimens seen near land, as it is a very pelagic species.

Range

The hourglass dolphin may be found in the Southern Hemisphere, roughly between the 45th and 65th parallels.

Similar Species

Also known as Wilson's Dolphin or Southern White-sided Dolphin

Comments

The name comes from a prominent hourglass pigmentation on its flanks defined by two white areas and two black areas meeting at a point roughly below its dorsal fin. This coloration makes it easily identifiable. It is also very rare, with five museum individuals being the only source for information as of 1974. It is a fast swimmer, known to ride the bow waves and stern wakes of ships. Sometimes groups are seen with other pelagic species, such as various rorqual whales, beaked whales, and blackfish.

Credits

Much of the information found here has been adapted from the following sources:

Baker, Mary L. Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the World. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1987.

Carwardine, Mark. Eyewitness Handbooks: Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises. New York: Dorling Kindersley Ltd., 1995.

Ellis, Richard. Dolphins and Porpoises. New York: Alfred & Knopf, Inc., 1982.

Klinowska, Margaret. Dolphins, Porpoises, and Whales of the World: The IUCN Red Data Book. Gland, Switzerland: World Conservation Union, 1991.

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