Facts about Pacific White-sided Dolphin
- 09
Dorsal fins of Pacific white-sided dolphins display a distinctive falcate shape with a rear curve, making them visually recognizable compared to other dolphin species in the North Pacific Ocean.
- 08
Stomach contents of Pacific white-sided dolphins reveal they consume over 30 fish species, with lanternfish and squid comprising the majority of their diet in deep-water regions.
- 07
Off the coasts of Japan and Russia, Pacific white-sided dolphins migrate seasonally between deeper offshore waters in winter and shallower coastal regions during summer months.
- 06
An adult Pacific white-sided dolphin typically weighs between 300 and 400 pounds and measures 7 to 8 feet in length.
- 05
The white hourglass pattern on Pacific white-sided dolphins' flanks helps researchers identify individuals in the wild for long-term population studies.
- 04
Calves of Pacific white-sided dolphins are born after a gestation period of approximately 12 months and nurse for about one to two years.
- 03
Pacific white-sided dolphins produce distinctive clicking and whistling vocalizations at frequencies reaching up to 130 kilohertz for echolocation and social communication.
- 02
Groups of Pacific white-sided dolphins typically number between 10 and 30 individuals, though pods can occasionally exceed 100 members during feeding aggregations.
- 01
Speeds up to 34 miles per hour make Pacific white-sided dolphins among the fastest cetaceans in coastal waters.