Lissodelphis borealis (Peale, 1848)

Northern right-whale dolphin

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) external link Showing: scientific names

Media Center Navigation

Lissodelphis borealis (Peale, 1848)

Images

Choose images

Lissodelphis borealis (Peale, 1848)
Lissodelphis borealis (Peale, 1848)
Lissodelphis borealis (Peale, 1848)
Lissodelphis borealis (Peale, 1848)

Page navigation

Classification : Text | Graphic |
  

Table of Contents

General Description

Description

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
Smithsonian's North American Mammals external link
Copyright
Some rights reserved external link
Project
Smithsonian Institution - North American Mammals external link
Location
Source URL
View original data object external link
Citation

With no dorsal fin, a slender body shape that tapers steadily toward the tail, and small flippers and flukes, the northern right whale dolphin appears to be built for speed. It has been clocked at 34 km per hour and can dive as deep as 200 m to feed on deepwater fish. The species is common in deep waters of the continental shelf, or offshore waters, and it also occurs in large numbers where undersea canyons bring deep waters near the coast. It is known only from temperate North Pacific waters.

Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
References
  • Peale, T.R., 1848.  U.S. exploring expeditions 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842 under the command of Charles Wilkes, U.S.N., Mammalogy and Ornithology, 8:35. Asherman and Co., Philadelphia, 8:1-338.
"Lissodelphis borealis (Peale, 1848)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/328527". Accessed 18 Mar 2010.