Facts about Indian Ocean Humpbacked Dolphin

1. 07

   In the Indo-Pacific region, Indian Ocean humpbacked dolphins exhibit sexual dimorphism where adult males develop a pronounced dorsal hump that females largely lack, making males visually distinct by their third decade of life.

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2. 06

   Calves of Indian Ocean humpbacked dolphins remain dependent on their mothers for approximately three years, one of the longest nursing periods among small cetaceans.

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3. 05

   The Indian Ocean humpbacked dolphin's distinctive hump develops with age, becoming more pronounced in males around 10-15 years old as a secondary sexual characteristic.

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4. 04

   Groups of Indian Ocean humpbacked dolphins in the Arabian Sea exhibit cooperative hunting behavior, coordinating with each other to herd fish into tight balls for easier consumption.

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5. 03

   These dolphins produce echolocation clicks at frequencies up to 130 kilohertz, enabling them to navigate murky estuarine waters with remarkable precision.

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6. 02

   Coastal populations of Indian Ocean humpbacked dolphins in South Africa have declined by approximately 60 percent since the 1980s due to fishing net entanglement.

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7. 01

   Measuring up to 2.5 meters long, Indian Ocean humpbacked dolphins inhabit coastal waters from South Africa to Australia and possess a distinctive rounded melon on their heads.

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