Natural Phenomenon
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South Seas Companion
Natural Phenomenon
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Commerson's DolphinCephalorhynchus commersonii |
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| Commerson's Dolphin is found in the south Indian Ocean but more commonly off the eastern coast of South America south to Cape Horn and east to the Falkland Islands. It has been encountered as far south as the South Shetland Islands. |
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In South American waters, Commerson's Dolphin is coloured black and white. It has black on its head, sides, chest flippers and tail. The dorsal fin is black. They also have a distinctive black patch on their white belly highlighting the genital region. The dolphin grows to around 1.4 metres and weighs between 26 and 45 kilos. Females are generally larger than males. They have approximately 30 pairs of pointed teeth in the upper and lower jaws and feed on small crustaceans, squid, several species of small such as anchovies and sardines, and marine algae. Commerson's Dolphins are usually encountered in groups of two or three individuals, usually near the mouths of bays and estuaries, or on regions of the continental shelf. However, they appear to come together in larger numbers to breed and feed. Fifteen or so have been observed cooperating to herd fish. They have also been seen feeding in the company of Southern Seas Lions (Otaria flavescens). From the early days of European colonisation, the dolphins were hunted for meat and oil. Today their numbers are much reduced and risk drowning in fishing nets or being killed as bait for crabs. |
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Published by South Seas, 1 February 2004 Comments, questions, corrections and additions: Paul.Turnbull@jcu.edu.au Prepared by: Paul Turnbull Updated: 31 August 2004 http://paulturnbull.org/projects/southseas/biogs/P000124b.htm |