Story: Dolphins

Southern right whale dolphins

Southern right whale dolphins

Southern right whale dolphins are seen only occasionally, being a mainly offshore species. Like right whales, they lack a dorsal fin. Instead, their stability comes from their unusual body shape, which is wider than it is deep. They are normally black and white, but entirely black individuals have also been seen.

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Photograph by Dennis Buurman

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Dolphins - Common dolphins', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/4664/southern-right-whale-dolphins (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 12 Jun 2006, updated 1 Sep 2015