Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
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| カマイルカ | |||
| Character Data | |||
| AKA | Hookfin Porpoise
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| Romaji | Kamairuka
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| Debut | Kemono Friends 3 | ||
| Animal Data | |||
| Scientific Name | Lagenorhynchus obliquidens
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| Distribution | North Pacific Ocean
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| Diet | Carnivore
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| Avg. Lifespan | 40 years
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| Read More | Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
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| Conservation | 
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| Pacific White-Sided Dolphin | Gallery |
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin is a type of cetacean Friend who was revealed few days after crowdfunding project between Kemono Friends 3 and Notojima Aquarium ended.
Appearance
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Series Appearances
| Media | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Kemono Friends 3 | ↪ Cameo |
In Real Life
Pacific white-sided dolphins, known for the distinct tri-color pattering that give them their name, are a playful and highly social marine mammal. They are also sometimes known as the “hookfin porpoise” because of their large, curved dorsal fin, though they are not technically porpoises. Though both belong to the toothed whale family, they are separate groups of animals, each including several species. As medium-sized dolphins, these animals can reach up to 400 pounds and 8 feet in length, with males typically being larger than females.
The white-sided dolphin is typically found in the cool or temperate waters of the North Pacific Ocean. They can be found living off the coasts of California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Group sizes are usually between 10 and 100 animals, but they can even be seen traveling in schools of thousands. Being strong and fast swimmers, these dolphins are often documented bow-riding and doing somersaults. Pod members form a close-knit group, and will often care for a sick or injured dolphin. Coexisting in such large social groups, they develop ways to keep in touch. As such, each dolphin identifies one another with a unique name-whistle. Young dolphins communicate with a touch of a flipper as they swim beside adults. Moreover, these dolphins are known to associate with other dolphin species, often feeding in the same areas without any conflicts.
Studies have shown that the white-sided dolphin's methods of communication are vastly different from bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins. Their vocalizations have spectral peaks that are lower pitched when compared to those of the other two dolphin species.
Pacific white-sided dolphins feed on a variety of prey, such as squid and small schooling fish (capelin, sardines, and herring). They can dive underwater for more than 6 minutes to feed. They have small conical teeth that help them catch and hold on to their prey. Instead of using these teeth to chew their food, dolphins use their teeth to grip food before swallowing it whole—head first—so the spines of the fish do not snag in their throats. White-sided dolphins often work together as a group to herd schools of fish. Each adult consumes around 20 pounds of food a day. These animals prefer feeding by night, when fish schools come closer to the water's surface.
Pacific white-sided dolphins have been shown to use echolocation to locate prey. Both Pacific and Atlantic white-sided dolphins use whistle vocalizations to communicate among themselves. These two species of dolphin have been recorded to produce high frequency signature whistles that are unique to that individual dolphin.
Trivia
- It is morphologically similar to the dusky dolphin, which is found in the South Pacific. Genetic analysis by Frank Cipriano suggests the two species diverged around two million years ago.
- These agile animals are known to perform various acrobatic tricks. When surfacing for air, the dolphins often make big leaps, diving back into the water. Somersaults and belly flops are among other movements these animals make.
- As common in dolphins, these animals sleep with half a brain. Usually, when the dolphin sleeps, halves of its brain keep vigil alternately: while one half rests, the other half stays awake. Then they switch functions. This is done in order to help the animal function normally and not to drown.
- The scientific name of this species, "Lagenorhynchus obliquidens", is somehow difficult to pronounce, due to which this animal is sometimes called "lag".
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_white-sided_dolphin
- https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article-abstract/49/2/328/838807
- https://www.ifaw.org/journal/dolphins-porpoises-what-is-the-difference