Species · GBIF taxon 8697392
Commerson's Dolphin
Cephalorhynchus commersoniiAlso known as Jacobita, Skunk Dolphin, Piebald Dolphin, Panda Dolphin
Commerson's dolphins are striking, highly active cetaceans easily recognized by their bold, panda-like black and white coloration. They are exceptionally fast swimmers, frequently seen bow-riding, spinning, and leaping clear of the water in coastal shallows. These social animals often hunt in small, coordinated pods, using high-frequency echolocation clicks to navigate and corral prey in murky waters.
MarineSocialActive
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Anchovies
- Squid
- Mysid Shrimp
Predators
- Killer Whale
- Leopard Seal
- Large Sharks
ThreatsBycatch in gillnets, marine pollution, and historical hunting for crab bait
HabitatsShallow coastal waters, fjords, estuaries, and kelp forests
Life span15 to 20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyDelphinidae
- SpeciesCephalorhynchus commersonii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from a boat or shore at a respectful distance.
Responsible observation
- Maintain distance: Let the dolphins approach your vessel on their own terms rather than chasing them.
- Watch for bow-riding: They love riding the wake of boats, so maintain a steady, predictable course.
- Avoid feeding: Never attempt to offer food, as this disrupts their natural foraging behaviors.
Predator (c) Martín Acosta Albarracín, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Martín Acosta Albarracín · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Sebastián Saiter V., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sebastián Saiter V. · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Joachim Huber, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative "Hectors Dolphin - By James Shook" by thevoiceofsue is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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