Atlantic white-sided dolphin

Atlantic white-sided dolphin

Scientific Name: Lagenorhynchus acutus
Other Names: Jumper Dolphin, Springer Dolphin
Length: 6.3-8.3 ft. (1.9-2.5 m.)
Weight: 365-440 lbs. (165-200 kg.)
Teeth: 114-160

This species, named in 1828, grows up to 3 m. in length. It has a dark back, tail and flippers. The belly is white. A large elongated patch of pale grey or white extends from the dorsal fin to the tail. The animal is thickset, particularly in the front of the body. The dorsal fin is large, triangular and bends backwards. The tail has a pronounced keel both above and below. The fluke is notched. This dolphin has 30 to 40 teeth on each side of both upper and lower jaws.

It is found in fairly large numbers in the northern Atlantic mainly north of the Gulf Stream. Occurring up  to Greenland, Scandinavia, northern parts of the British Isles including the Orkney and Shetland islands, and off the coast of New York. These fast swimming dolphins rarely jump from the water. They break surface with their head and dorsal fin, making a conspicuous bow wave as they travel at over 15 knots. Small social groups of up to 30 individuals are common but they often join together to form a huge herds of over a thousand. They eat fish. Mating occurs in the late spring and early summer, and the 1.2 m. long offspring is born after a gestation of 10 months.