Hector's Dolphin - description, habitat, lifestyle

Discussed dolphins differ from their relatives in small size, speed and speed. They belong to the beak-headed mammal. Such dolphins are also considered the smallest cetaceans. These creatures are the smallest of their kind.

Appearance

1. It is noteworthy that the body length of an adult can reach a maximum of 140 cm. In rare cases, this figure may be slightly larger. In this case, the body weight of an adult animal can reach approximately 40 kg.
2. It is curious that females of such individuals are slightly heavier than males. At the same time, its average weight is about 45 kg. The male, in turn, has a mass of not more than 35 kg. Often the forehead, back, muzzle, and side of the animal are gray. In rare cases, it is black or dark color.
3. In addition, the fins also have a dark color. They stand out against the background of a light color of the whole body. In addition, rare individuals with a white color of the muzzle and forehead are found. The belly also has a white color. On it you can see the dark stripes that stretch to the caudal fin.
4. A characteristic feature of these individuals is precisely the rounded fin with a back. It is on this basis that the presented animals can be unmistakably classified. The fin is strongly inclined back. It has a fairly low profile.

Area

1. Discussed individuals live in only one place in the wild. It is the coastal zone of New Zealand. It is in this area that dolphins feel the best. Other places do not suit them. Such animals try to choose warm shallow water for life, which is located almost on the coast.
2. The animals presented do not tend to go into deep waters, because they do not like currents. Therefore, it is quite comfortable for them to live in shallow water. Such an environment is considered their favorite habitat. Therefore, the mammals in question practically do not migrate.
3. Because of this feature, the animals presented are doomed to extinction. Currently, there are only about 150 individuals. However, such mammals are not able to recreate their own population. Moreover, in the absence of migration, dolphins slowly die out. Around the world there are about 5,000 individuals. They are protected.

Lifestyle

1. It is noteworthy that the animals presented are quite social. They prefer to live in small families. They can have no more than 8 individuals. Interestingly, during the hunt, animals unite in schools of about 60 dolphins.
2. During hunting, mammals act in concert. When communicating, animals use special sound waves. Thus dolphins transmit whole messages. During the hunt, they make dives. At the same time, they develop an impressive speed.
3. The diet of these animals is mainly based on fish, crustaceans and mollusks. The main factor in hunting is the size of the prey, and not its nutritional value. Dolphins with pleasure can eat both anchovies and mackerel. Often individuals prey on cephalopods.

Breeding

1. As for the reproduction of such animals, they reach puberty relatively late. Individuals of the stronger sex become ready to reproduce offspring at the age of about 6 years. Females reach puberty a little later.
2. In the wild, the mammals in question are able to live a maximum of 20 years. Over such a period of time, females bring a maximum of 4 cubs. Most often, offspring are born precisely at the beginning of summer.In this case, a newborn baby can weigh up to 10 kg.
3. Otherwise, the average duration of the animals under discussion barely reaches 10 years. The female gives birth to the baby in water, then pushes it to the surface. The baby swallows the first air and makes a loud exclamation. At this time, the offspring remembers the voice of the mother.
4. As soon as an adult individual exchanged special sound signals with their offspring, they become attached to each other. In the future, they will be able to accurately recognize each other. In the first years of life, young animals do not sail beyond their mother a few meters. In such a period, the cubs are completely dependent on adults.

The animals presented are unique in their own way. However, they are on the verge of extinction. In the wild, there are about 150 individuals in total. People try to save this species by breeding animals in special places. Such mammals are listed in the Red Book and are under protection. The problem is that dolphins do not migrate and breed poorly.