Page - January 16, 2008
Estimated Population: unknown
Pacificwhitesidedolphinbanner
Ways to identify this species: backs are dark gray or soft black, sides light gray, and belly's white or gray stripe along side, unique bi-colored dorsal fin.
Biology
- Lives in North Pacific Ocean, north of Japanese Coast and Baja California, along the coast and in open waters
- 7.5 feet in length and lives 36-40 years
- Eats hake, anchovies, squid and sardines and uses teeth to grip its food, then swallowing whole fish head first so that the spine doesn't catch in throat
- Eyes can focus in both air and water and it is capable of recognizing colors. These dolphins also use echolocation
Threats
- Sometimes preyed upon by killer whales, threatened also by entanglement in fishing nets, destruction of habitat and pollution