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Atlantic humpback dolphin
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Atlantic humpback dolphin
The Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) is a species of humpback dolphin that is found in coastal areas of West Africa.
It is regarded as critically endangered by the IUCN.
Apart from its geographical range, it can be distinguishable from the Indo-Pacific humpback because of their distinct skin coloration and other morphological characteristics. Atlantic humpbacks have a gray or white color, unlike the Indo-Pacific humpbacks which have pink mottling. Males, in particular, can have distinct humps under their dorsal fins. They can also be distinguished by a robust body with a well-defined rostrum. They are typically slate gray on the back and sides, fading to light gray ventrally. The dorsal fin is small, slightly falcate, and triangular, and sits on a distinctive and well developed dorsal hump.
Atlantic humpbacks can also be distinguishable from the other species (S. plumbea, S. chinensis, S. sahulensis sp. nov., etc.) because of a significantly lower amount of teeth. On average, they have about 30 teeth per row versus other species having around 33–37. To compliment this, they typically have a shorter and wider skull than the other species.
At birth, this species is 14 kg (31 lb) in weight and 100 cm (39 in) long. A fully grown male can weigh up to 280 kg (620 lb) and is around 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) long.
This species is native to the tropical to subtropical west coast of Africa in the southeastern Atlantic Ocean, from western Sahara to Angola. The species is not commonly observed and is found sporadically across these waters. It is mainly found in shallow coastal and estuarine waters in the marine Neritic zone, usually less than 20 m (66 ft) deep.
This species is known to be shy; it does not bow-ride and aerial displays are rarely seen. They occasionally leap, spy-hop, and tail-slap the water. Atlantic humpback dolphins prefer to keep a distance from boat engines, and when they are seen in the water, they are most likely traveling and foraging. They forage both independently and cooperatively. The groups usually range from 1-8 animals, but gatherings of up to 20-40 animals have been observed. An average swim speed during travel has been measured at about 4 km/h (2.5 mph). In Angola and Guinea, some individuals appear to exhibit high site fidelity and strong association patterns. Atlantic humpback dolphins communicate similarly to other dolphin species via echolocation.
Groups generally forage close to shore in shallow waters and often within the surf zone. They appear to feed mainly on inshore schooling fish such as mullet, though a variety of coastal fish and crustacean species are also known as their prey items. Their specific prey species depends on what geographic location they occupy and what is available. These dolphins tend to feed in small bays, sheltered waters behind reef-breaks and in areas off dry river mouths, while traveling occurs mainly along exposed coastlines.
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Atlantic humpback dolphin
The Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) is a species of humpback dolphin that is found in coastal areas of West Africa.
It is regarded as critically endangered by the IUCN.
Apart from its geographical range, it can be distinguishable from the Indo-Pacific humpback because of their distinct skin coloration and other morphological characteristics. Atlantic humpbacks have a gray or white color, unlike the Indo-Pacific humpbacks which have pink mottling. Males, in particular, can have distinct humps under their dorsal fins. They can also be distinguished by a robust body with a well-defined rostrum. They are typically slate gray on the back and sides, fading to light gray ventrally. The dorsal fin is small, slightly falcate, and triangular, and sits on a distinctive and well developed dorsal hump.
Atlantic humpbacks can also be distinguishable from the other species (S. plumbea, S. chinensis, S. sahulensis sp. nov., etc.) because of a significantly lower amount of teeth. On average, they have about 30 teeth per row versus other species having around 33–37. To compliment this, they typically have a shorter and wider skull than the other species.
At birth, this species is 14 kg (31 lb) in weight and 100 cm (39 in) long. A fully grown male can weigh up to 280 kg (620 lb) and is around 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) long.
This species is native to the tropical to subtropical west coast of Africa in the southeastern Atlantic Ocean, from western Sahara to Angola. The species is not commonly observed and is found sporadically across these waters. It is mainly found in shallow coastal and estuarine waters in the marine Neritic zone, usually less than 20 m (66 ft) deep.
This species is known to be shy; it does not bow-ride and aerial displays are rarely seen. They occasionally leap, spy-hop, and tail-slap the water. Atlantic humpback dolphins prefer to keep a distance from boat engines, and when they are seen in the water, they are most likely traveling and foraging. They forage both independently and cooperatively. The groups usually range from 1-8 animals, but gatherings of up to 20-40 animals have been observed. An average swim speed during travel has been measured at about 4 km/h (2.5 mph). In Angola and Guinea, some individuals appear to exhibit high site fidelity and strong association patterns. Atlantic humpback dolphins communicate similarly to other dolphin species via echolocation.
Groups generally forage close to shore in shallow waters and often within the surf zone. They appear to feed mainly on inshore schooling fish such as mullet, though a variety of coastal fish and crustacean species are also known as their prey items. Their specific prey species depends on what geographic location they occupy and what is available. These dolphins tend to feed in small bays, sheltered waters behind reef-breaks and in areas off dry river mouths, while traveling occurs mainly along exposed coastlines.
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