Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Gray, 1846)

White-beaked 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

Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Gray, 1846)

Images

Items in yellow are not reviewed.

Choose images

Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Gray, 1846)
Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Gray, 1846)
Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Gray, 1846)
Peponocephala electra (Gray, 1846)
Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Gray, 1846)
Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Gray, 1846)
Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Gray, 1846)
Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Gray, 1846)

Page navigation

Classification : Text | Graphic |
  

Table of Contents

Overview

Biology

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
World Register of Marine Species external link
Copyright
Some rights reserved external link
Location
Source URL
View original data object external link
Citation

White-beaked dolphins feed on living, benthic, shallow water fish. Their food varies according to the region and probably depends on the local availability. The stomach content of those washed ashore at the Belgian coast consisted amongst others of whiting, cod, haddock, hake, herring, plaice, mackerel and cephalopods and some benthic crustaceans. 

 These dolphins are mostly found living far offshore, normally in shoals of 6 to 20, although in one exceptional case of more than 1500. They are often observed together with the Atlantic white-sided dolphin. They are powerful swimmers who love to surf on bow waves of ships.

References

Biology

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
ARKive external link
Copyright
Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008. Some rights reserved external link
Location
Source URL
View original data object external link
Citation

The white-beaked dolphin is an extremely active, fast-swimming species. They often ride the bow of boats and may be seen breaching (leaping out of the water and landing back in the water with a splash) or clearing the water when swimming fast (5). It is a social species that forms groups of between 1 to 35 individuals, but occasionally groups of up to 1,500 have been observed (6). It feeds on schooling fish, crustaceans and cephalopods (2). A single calf is born in summer (7), measuring 1.2 metres in length at birth (2). A range of vocalisations including bursts of clicks and squeals are used to communicate, and may also be important in detecting prey and navigation (7).
"Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Gray, 1846)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/342089". Accessed 17 Mar 2010.