Estuary dolphin (SciiFii)

The estuary dolphin (Orcaella californicum) is a species of oceanic dolphin of the genus Orcaella that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the United States and Mexico to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relative of the estuary dolphin is the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris). The estuary dolphin's colour is grey to dark slate blue, paler underneath, without a distinctive pattern. The dorsal fin is small and rounded behind the middle of the back. The forehead is high and rounded; the beak is lacking. The front of its snout is blunt. The flippers are broad and rounded. It ranges in weight from 90 to 200 kilograms (200 to 440 lbs) with a length of 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) at full maturity. Maximum recorded length is 2.75 meters (9.0 feet). Communication is carried out with clicks, creaks, and buzzes at a dominant frequency of about 60 kilohertz, which is used for echolocation. Bony fish and fish eggs, cephalopods, and crustaceans are taken as food. Food may be taken into the mouth by suction. Estuary dolphins are capable of squirting streams of water that can reach up to 1.5 metres (4 feet 11 inches); this distinct behaviour has been known for herding fish into a general area for hunting. They do this sometimes while spyhopping and during feeding, to expel water ingested during fish capture or to herd fish. Some estuary dolphins kept in captivity have been trained to do spyhopping on command. The estuary dolphin is a slow swimmer, but swimming speeds of 20–25 kilometres per hour (12–16 mph) have been reported when dolphins are being chased in a boat. Estuary dolphins, unlike the closely related irrawaddy dolphins, are not shy of boats, and are known to bow-ride, generally cruising alongside boats. Estuary dolphins reach sexual maturity at seven to seven years. Mating is reported from January to July. Its gestation period is 14 months; females give birth to a single calf every two to three years. Length is about 1 meters (3.3 feet) at birth. Birth weight is about 10 kg (22 lb). Weaning is after two years. Lifespan is about 35 years. The conservation status of the estuary dolphin is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the estuary dolphin's wide range.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii