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Dusky dolphin Facts

Dusky dolphin Facts
Dusky dolphin is a member of the family of oceanic dolphins. There are four subspecies of dusky dolphin that can be found along the coasts of South America, South Africa and New Zealand. Dusky dolphin prefers cool, shallow waters around continental shelves. Major threats for the survival of dusky dolphins are uncontrolled hunting (because of their meat), collisions with ships and by-catch (accidental entrapment in the fishing nets intended for various fish). Exact number of remaining dusky dolphins is unknown (this species is listed as data deficient).
Interesting Dusky dolphin Facts:
Dusky dolphin can reach 5 to 7 feet in length and 176 to 264 pounds of weight.
Dorsal side of the body of dusky dolphin is dark grey or bluish-black with two creamy lines between dorsal fin and tail. Bottom side of the body is light grey or white in color.
Dusky dolphin has evenly sloped head without beak, single blowhole on top of the head, smooth, streamlined body, tall, curved dorsal fin and two horizontal tail flukes.
Dusky dolphin usually swims in the groups (pods) of 10 to 20 animals close to the coast during the day.
Dusky dolphin is more active during the night. It hunts cooperatively with other dusky dolphins, in the groups of around 1000 animals. Dusky dolphin can swim at the speed of 23 miles per hour and travel large distances to find food.
Dusky dolphin is a carnivore. Its diet is based on the fish (sardines, mackerel, anchovies...), squids and octopi.
Dusky dolphin has 24 to 36 pairs of cone-shaped, sharp teeth, designed to firmly hold slippery prey.
Dusky dolphin has excellent sense of hearing and eyesight. It can easily navigate through dark and murky waters thanks to the echolocation. Dusky dolphin produces series of clicks and gets information about shape, size and type of objects in front of itself based on the reflected sound.
Dusky dolphins are social and playful creatures. They often leap together, flip and roll, and even glide through the air before they return to the water. Dusky dolphins communicate via whistles, clicks and squeaks. They take care of the injured members of the group.
Natural enemies of dusky dolphins are killer whales and large species of shark.
Mating season of dusky dolphins takes place during the spring.
Pregnancy lasts 11 months and ends with a single baby (calf). Young dusky dolphin is ready to eat solid food at the age of 6 to 8 months, but it continues to drink milk until the age of 18 months.
Young dusky dolphin stays close to the mother until the age of 3 years, after which it becomes ready to join some other pod.
Dusky dolphin reaches sexual maturity at the age of 4 to 5 years.
Dusky dolphin can survive around 20 years in the wild.


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