Description Southern right whale dolphin

a french drawing 1847

they have streamlined body, short, defined beak, no visible teeth, , single blowhole. black , white in colour, white undersides. no dorsal fin present. fast, active swimmers. newborn calves 80–100 cm (31–39 in) in length. adults between 1.8 , 2.9 m (5 ft 11 in , 9 ft 6 in). females tend longer males. adults weigh 60–100 kg (130–220 lb). eat fish, squid, , octopus.

behaviour

southern right whale dolphins graceful , move leaping out of water continuously. when swim slowly, expose small area of head , when surface breathe. breaching, belly-flopping, side-slapping, , lob-tailing (slapping flukes on water surface) have been witnessed. typically live in groups of 2 100. groups more nervous others, , swim away boats, whereas others approach , possibly bow-ride. tendency bow-ride worked against them in 19th century, allowed whalers harpoon them bow , use them food. southern right whale dolphins seen in company of hourglass dolphins.