Facts about Hourglass Dolphin

1. 07

   Calves of hourglass dolphins are born with a gestation period of approximately eleven months, aligning with the Antarctic breeding season during austral spring.

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2. 06

   Antarctic waters host hourglass dolphins year-round, making them one of the few cetacean species permanently adapted to subpolar environments rather than migrating seasonally.

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3. 05

   Speeds exceeding 11 kilometers per hour allow hourglass dolphins to chase prey with remarkable agility through Antarctic waters despite their diminutive body size.

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4. 04

   Hourglass dolphins can dive to depths exceeding 600 meters while hunting for fish and squid in the Southern Ocean.

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5. 03

   Distinctive hourglass-shaped markings on their sides give these dolphins their common name, with dark gray coloring on the head and tail contrasting sharply against lighter gray flanks.

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6. 02

   In Antarctic waters, hourglass dolphins live in groups of up to 1000 individuals, making them highly social marine mammals despite their small size.

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7. 01

   The hourglass dolphin reaches a maximum length of approximately 1.7 meters, making it one of the smallest cetacean species in Antarctic waters.

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