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DESCRIPTION: The Pacific white-sided dolphin has a short, rounded, thick beak containing 23 to 32 small, rounded slightly curved teeth in each side of the upper and lower jaws. Its back is black and its sides are light gray with thin, white stripes that extend from above the eye along the sides, widening towards the tail; its belly is white. It has a black beak and lips and a black ring around each eye. Its dorsal fin is tall and sharply hooked, and is located at the center of the back. The leading edge is black and the rear portion is light gray. Its flippers are small and curved and rounded at the tips. Its flukes are notched in the center. These dolphins reach a length of 7 to 8 feet and weigh 300 pounds. |
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RANGE/HABITAT: The Pacific white-sided dolphin inhabits temperate, coastal waters in the North Pacific, avoiding both tropical and Arctic waters. Its range extends from Amchitka Island in the Aleutians, to the Gulf of Alaska south along the coast of North America to the tip of Baja California. It is also found off the coast of Asia from the Kuril Islands to Japan. It is abundant in Japanese waters with estimates of 30,000 to 50,000 in that area. |
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BEHAVIOR: Pacific white-sided dolphins are often found in large groups. They are fast, acrobatic and playful and are one of the species commonly found bow-riding off boats. They are strong and fast swimmers enabling them to stay with moving vessels for extended periods. Pacific White Sided dolphin are energetic and very active and are frequently seen leaping completely out of the water. These dolphin are often seen with other cetaceans, including Northern right whale dolphins and Risso's dolphin. |
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MATING/BREEDING: Sexual maturity for both sexes is reached when they are between 7 and 9 years of age, but this can vary according to geographical location. Length at birth is 31 to 37 inches; gestation period is estimated to be 11 to 12 months. Calves nurse at least six months and most births occur from April to August. STATUS: This species is no longer commercially hunted in the United States. Some are taken for food in Japan's coastal fishery. They are difficult to catch, however, and the numbers taken are not a threat to the total population in Japanese waters. Scientists estimate the entire population for the North Pacific range from 75,000 to 100,000 individuals. |
For Reservations Call: |
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(949) 675-0551 |
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Newport Beach Whale Watching 309 Palm St. #A - Newport Beach CA. 92661 |
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