Fauna
Mammal

Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin

Sousa chinensis

Also known as Chinese White Dolphin, Pacific Humpback Dolphin, Pink Dolphin

Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins inhabit shallow coastal waters and brackish estuaries across Southeast Asia and southern China. Born dark grey, adults gradually lose pigment as they mature, developing a striking white to bubblegum-pink coloration driven by thermoregulating blood vessels near the skin surface. Pods navigate murky river mouths using precise echolocation to hunt estuarine fish along the seabed.

Marine MammalPink DolphinCoastal
Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin reference1 / 2
user:takoradee / CC BY 2.5 · cc-by
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyBenthic Fish, Cephalopods, Crustaceans
Predators
  • Sharks
  • Killer Whales
ThreatsCoastal construction, vessel strikes, marine pollution, fishing gear entanglement
HabitatsShallow coastal waters, bays, mangrove channels, estuaries
Life span30–40 years
Classification
  1. FamilyDelphinidae
  2. SpeciesSousa chinensis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe from a respectful distance on watercraft.
What to notice
Recognizable by a distinct dorsal hump and adult coloration ranging from mottled white to bright pink.
Support conservation
Observe strictly from regulated tour vessels and avoid cutting across the path of traveling pods.
Responsible observation
  • Keep Distance: Maintain at least 100 meters distance when observing pods from boats.
  • Engine Care: Drop speed to idle or neutral if dolphins approach your vessel.
  • Avoid Feeding: Never toss food or attempt to swim with wild dolphin pods.
Related species
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