Chilean dolphin

Even in its native Chile, the Chilean dolphin (Cephalorhynchus eutropia) is known to only a few people.

With 1.6 m body length and around 60 kg weight, it is one of the smallest dolphin species and its back and sides are colored in different shades of gray. The ventral side is white and the beak is barely pronounced. Flipper and fin are rounded.

Its range extends from Cape Horn to Valparaiso and it prefers shallow coastal waters and bays, showing site fidelity.

Chilean dolphins are quite shy and inconspicuous. The animals live in small, but not persistent groups of usually 2 to 5 individuals. Several groups often come together to hunt fish.

Almost nothing is known about migration behavior, social structure, diet, and reproduction.


Dangers

The Chilean dolphin(Cephalorhynchus eutropia) lives along the open coast and in the Chiloé Archipelago, where they occur near dense human settlement and fishing activities, and their populations are in danger as a result.

Bycatch in set nets, direct catch for baiting crab traps, intensification of aquaculture, and pollution and habitat destruction are the greatest threats.

Website of YAQU PACHA Chile


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