Adantic White-sided Dolphin

About the Adantic White-sided Dolphin

The Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus or Leucopleurus acutus) is a distinctively coloured dolphin found in the cool to temperate waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic white-sided dolphin is a relatively small dolphin. At birth, calves measure just over a meter long; adult males grow to about 2.8 m (9.2 ft), and females to about 2.5 m (8.2 ft), weighing between 180 and 230 kg (400- 510 lb) once fully grown. Females reach sexual maturity between the ages of 6 and 12 years, and males between 7 and 11 years old. The gestation period is 11 months and lactation lasts for about 18 months — both typical figures for dolphins. Atlantic white-sided dolphins are known to live for at least 17 years.

The key distinguishing feature is the dolphin's colouration—a white to pale-yellow patch is found behind the dorsal fin on both sides of the body. The white-sided dolphin's colour variations are unique amongst the standard hues of white, grey, black and blue seen on other pelagic cetaceans. Their body's colouration is well-demarcated, with the chin, throat and belly being white; the flippers, dorsal fin and back are dark-grey to black (with the exception... Wikipedia →