Awesome Animal Fact: Hourglass Dolphin

Did you know there is a small but beautiful dolphin species that inhabit only the waters near Antarctica? Hourglass dolphins average only about five feet (1.6 m) long, with a stubby beak (snout). They have a striking black and white pattern, with the white on each side of the body resembling a horizontal hourglass.

These are the only small dolphins that live in the waters of Antarctica. Like other cetaceans (whales and dolphins), hourglass dolphins swim in pods, sometimes with up to a hundred individuals, though they are usually seen in smaller pods of eight to twelve. They seem to enjoy riding the waves of fast-moving ships. They also feed at the surface (on fish and squid). These surface habits make it easier for scientists to locate hourglass dolphins to monitor their numbers. However, the last sighting survey was done in 1987-1988, almost forty years ago. At that time, scientists estimated the population to be about 144,000.

The numbers have probably declined slightly since then, but these dolphins are relatively safe simply because few humans travel to Antarctica. If you haven't guessed, human presence is usually bad for whales and dolphins. Unfortunately, in the coming years, climate change may threaten these dolphins.

Because of the distinct black and white pattern, whalers originally referred to hourglass dolphins as "sea cows" or "sea skunks."

Photo Credits:
- Hourglass dolphins - Lomvi2, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons