Northern Right Whale Dolphin

About the Northern Right Whale Dolphin

The northern right whale dolphin (Lissodelphis borealis) is a small, slender species of cetacean found in the cold and temperate waters of the North Pacific Ocean. Lacking a dorsal fin, and appearing superficially porpoise-like, it is one of the two species of right whale dolphin.

The northern right whale dolphin has a streamlined body with a sloping forehead, and a slimmer build than other delphinids. It lacks any fin or ridge on the smoothly curving back. Its body is nearly all-black with a white ventral marking, extending forward as a narrow band from the caudal peduncle to the throat region, where the patch widens. In females, this white band is wider in the genital area than in males. In southern right whale dolphins (Lissodelphis peronii), the white patch extends higher on the posterior flanks and head. Calves, which are born initially creamy-dark grey or brown, attain adult colouring by the age of one year.

The beak of northern right whale dolphins is short and well-defined, characterised by a straight mouthline. The flippers are small, curved, narrow and pointed. The tail flukes are triangular and, like the flippers, rather pointed.

Adults are 2–3 meters (6... Wikipedia →