Creature Feature | Hector’s Dolphins

22/04/2023

 

 

DOLPHINS

In Australia, The Dolphins are a professional rugby league football team based in the Redcliffe Peninsula area of the Moreton Bay Region, that competes in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL)…. for the purposes of this article: a dolphin is a small aquatic mammal in the  “A dolphin is an aquatic mammal within the infraorder Cetacea. Dolphin species belong to the families Delphinidae (the oceanic dolphins), Platanistidae (the Indian river dolphins), Iniidae (the New World river dolphins), Pontoporiidae (the brackish dolphins), and the extinct Lipotidae (baiji or Chinese river dolphin). There are 40 extant species named as dolphins.

Hector’s dolphins are one of the world’s smallest dolphins. They are mostly found around the coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

Source https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-mammals/dolphins/hectors-dolphin/

Hector’s dolphin

Hector’s dolphins are the smallest and rarest marine dolphins in the world. They have distinct black facial markings, short stocky bodies and a dorsal fin …

 

How many Hector’s dolphins are left?
There is a subspecies of Hector’s dolphin known as Maui’s dolphin that is critically endangered and estimated to have a population of only 55.
Why is Hector’s dolphin endangered?
The largest threat to both subspecies is bycatch in commercial and recreational gillnets and trawls. Habitat-related threats, disease, and tourism may also negatively impact the dolphins.
Due to their diet, Hector’s dolphins likely play an important role in controlling local fish populations.
Why is it called Hector’s dolphin?
The Hector’s dolphin was named after Sir James Hector, who was the curator of the first Colonial Museum in Wellington (now named Te Papa). Sir James Hector examined the first dolphin specimen that was found. Sir James lived from 1834 to 1907, and was the most influential New Zealand scientist of his time.
Are Hector’s dolphins friendly?
Hector’s are very friendly dolphins and often swim with boats. In murky water they use sound (sonar) to find fish to eat.

Whale Watching more info on the Australian experience  

 

Sources & further reading: 

Akaroa dolphins 

hectors dolphin info at department of conservation nz

Mark Carwardine 

Carwardine, M., Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, Dorling Kindersley, 2000

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