Facts about Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin
- 09
Sousa chinensis, the scientific name for the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, was first described by Osbeck in 1765 from specimens collected in Chinese waters.
- 08
Calves of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins are born with a dark gray coloration that gradually lightens as they mature into adulthood.
- 07
Dorsal fin morphology in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins ranges from a prominent hump in adults to a small triangular fin in calves, with the distinctive hump developing during sexual maturation.
- 06
Groups of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins typically range from 3 to 5 individuals, though aggregations of up to 30 dolphins form in shallow, food-rich estuaries during peak feeding seasons.
- 05
Mothers of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins nurse calves for approximately 3 years, one of the longest nursing periods among cetacean species.
- 04
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins produce echolocation clicks reaching frequencies of 130 kilohertz, enabling them to navigate murky estuarine waters with precision.
- 03
Coastal populations of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in the Pearl River estuary number approximately 2,000 individuals, making it one of the most studied populations worldwide.
- 02
Pink coloration in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins intensifies with age, with some older individuals developing nearly white skin on their bellies and flanks.
- 01
The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin can live up to 40 years in the wild, with females typically outliving males by several years.