Table of Contents
- 1 Why are Pacific white-sided dolphins called lags?
- 2 What eats Pacific white-sided dolphin?
- 3 How fast can a Pacific white-sided dolphin swim?
- 4 How long do Pacific white-sided dolphins stay with their mothers?
- 5 Do dolphins have white tummies?
- 6 What is the life cycle of a dolphin?
- 7 How old do Pacific white sided dolphins live?
- 8 Is the Pacific white sided dolphin an endangered species?
Why are Pacific white-sided dolphins called lags?
See drawing showing the relative size of the dolphin to a human diver. Often referred to as “lag” because of its long scientific name – Lagenorhynchus. Range / Habitat: The Pacific White-sided Dolphin inhabits temperate, coastal waters in the North Pacific, avoiding both tropical or Arctic waters.
What eats Pacific white-sided dolphin?
Transient killer whales and sharks both eat Pacific White-sided Dolphins.
Do Pacific white-sided dolphins migrate?
Habitat and Distribution They prefer deep offshore waters with temperatures ranging from 43 to 62°F (6 to 17°C), but generally during the winter months Pacific white-sided dolphins migrate to inshore waters.
How many white-sided dolphins are left in the world?
Population Status Based on the most recent surveys, our scientists estimate that there are about 93,233 dolphins in the western North Atlantic stock.
How fast can a Pacific white-sided dolphin swim?
35 mph
“Pacific white-sided dolphins can swim at speeds of up to 35 mph (55km/h), and other dolphins commonly reach 30km/h or more.
How long do Pacific white-sided dolphins stay with their mothers?
Mothers nurse their calves for up to 18 months and females usually give birth every 3 years.
How long do white dolphins live?
The Pacific white-sided dolphin can live more than 40 years. Males reach sexual maturity around 10 years and females around 8 to 11.
How smart are Pacific white-sided dolphins?
Wild and Rescued Dolphins Pacific white-sided dolphins are intelligent, playful, and very social animals. They live in large groups and often approach boats. They are interesting animals to observe in the wild.
Do dolphins have white tummies?
These dolphins have a robust body, short rostrum (snout), and large dorsal fin compared to their overall body size. Their back, flukes (tail), and lips are black; their sides, dorsal fin, and flippers are gray; and their belly is white.
What is the life cycle of a dolphin?
Life history cycle Bottlenose Dolphin calves are born in the water after a gestation period of one year and suckle for about 18 months. They remain with the mother for about four years. They are a long-lived species, with an extensive life span of up to 45 years.
How fast are Pacific white-sided dolphins?
Active groups travel at speeds up to 15 knots (28 km/hr), sometimes swimming just under the surface with only their dorsal fin exposed to slice and spray through the water.
How long is the mother dolphin pregnant?
Pregnancy. Recent research indicates that bottlenose dolphin pregnancy lasts about 12 months (Wells 1987). During this time, there is very little room in the uterus for a baby to develop. As a result, and to make birth easier, the tail fluke and dorsal are cartilaginous and are folded over in the uterus.
How old do Pacific white sided dolphins live?
From 1990 to 1991, a study conducted by Richard C. Ferrero and William A. Walker revealed the vast majority of Pacific white-sided dolphins that fell victim to the drift nets were between the ages of 8.3 to 11 when they sexually matured. The gestation period usually last for one year. Individuals are believed to live up 40 years or more.
Is the Pacific white sided dolphin an endangered species?
Pacific white-sided dolphins are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. They are not considered endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act . NOAA Fisheries and our partners work to conserve and protect this species in many ways. A Pacific white-sided dolphin.
What kind of dolphin is a white sided dolphin?
Pacific white-sided dolphin. The Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) is a very active dolphin found in the cool to temperate waters of the North Pacific Ocean.
How many white sided dolphins are in British Columbia?
They were absent for much of the 20th century and then returned, perhaps encourage by a shift in ocean temperature or prey abundance. In British Columbia, it is estimated that approximately 25,000 Pacific white-sided dolphins reside along our coast (Williams & Thomas, 2007).