Fauna
Mammal

Commerson's Dolphin

Cephalorhynchus commersonii

Also known as Piebald Dolphin, Skunk Dolphin, Tonina Overa, Jacobita

Commerson's dolphins are energetic, acrobatic coastal cetaceans recognized by their compact bodies and characteristic swimming style, frequently surfing ocean swells and even swimming upside down to scan the seafloor. They live in small, tightly knit pods along cold southern coastlines and kelp forests, using rapid high-frequency echolocation clicks to coordinate hunts and pinpoint agile schooling prey in murky inshore shallows. Two geographically disjunct populations thrive thousands of kilometers apart, one around southern South America and another in the sub-Antarctic waters surrounding the Kerguelen Islands.

MarineCoastalAcrobatic
Commerson's Dolphin reference1 / 7
(c) Sebastián Saiter V., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sebastián Saiter V. · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPatagonian sprat, Fuegian sardine, Loliginid squid
Predators
  • Orca
  • Leopard seal
  • Sevengill shark
ThreatsBycatch in coastal gillnets, vessel strikes, and pollution
HabitatsCold coastal shallows, sheltered bays, estuaries, and kelp forests
Life span15–20 years
Classification
  1. FamilyDelphinidae
  2. SpeciesCephalorhynchus commersonii
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 boats or shore at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Boat Navigation: Maintain a steady course and speed if dolphins ride the bow wake, avoiding sudden turns.
  • Shore Watching: Scan sheltered bays and kelp beds at rising tide when pods hunt closest to land.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…