Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin

The Indo-Pacific Humpbacked Dolphin is a member of the Delphinidae family and a species that encompasses two separate subspecies of Humpback Dolphin: (1) Sousa chinensis and (2) Sousa plumbea. The two subspecies differ most drastically in distribution, with the former occupying coastal areas ranging from Southern Africa to Western Indochina and the latter occupying coastal areas ranging from Western Indochina to Northern Australia.
The most limiting factor to habitat-usage is water depth, with most specimens remaining in waters shallower than 20 meters. As a result, the Indo-Pacific Humpbacked Dolphin's offshore range is largely dependent on the coastlines' specific physiographical characteristics. The species has been reported to inhabit nearly every type of coastal habitat, although preference and prominence of any given habitat type is highly dependent on the geographical location.
The total length of neonatal calves averages at 100cm, after which juveniles undergo dramatic growth until reaching approximately 220cm at age 10. After reaching this modal peak, growth rate slows down as they near complete physical maturity at approximately 25 years with an average total length of 250cm.
Females typically birth a single calf each reproductive period, which is reared for up to 24 months. Following birthing, females undergo a prolonged calving interval that averages 62 months. Indo-Pacific Humpbacked Dolphin's experience extremely high rates of calf and juvenile mortality due to anthropogenic disturbances such as environmental pollution, habitat deterioration and noise pollution.
Indo-Pacific Humpbacked Dolphins are social delphinids that live in groups averaging 12 individuals, although group size can be highly variable. The majority of their diet is composed of sciaenid fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans.
The species is currently categorized as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). If current rates of mortality and population decline continue unaltered, however, it is predicted that the species will be Endangered within 51 years.[1]
Category:Animals
Category:Creatures