Hector's Dolphin

Hector's Dolphin Facts (Cephalorhynchus hectori)

Being one of the smallest dolphins out there, the Hector’s dolphin is one that is able to move around quickly in the water. One of the main differences is that the nose slopes down instead of outward. Another difference is that the dorsal fin is short and round instead of long and thin.

You will find a variety of colors on the Hector’s dolphin including white, brown, black, and gray. These colors are also found in a variety of shades as well. The belly region will be a shade of white with one of the other main colors for the rest of the body. 

With this particular species of dolphin, the females are larger than the males. Since it is the opposite with the other species many people get the two sexes reversed.
 
Distribution

The shores of New Zealand is the only place where you will find the Hector’s dolphin. This isolated location as well as the low numbers of them make them the rarest of all species out there. It is estimated that less than 4,000 of them remain at this time. They tend to be very partial to the area where they were born. While they do swim in the general area, they tend to stake their claim there until they day they die.

Behavior

They are social creatures, but they tend to form groups that are smaller than most other species. You will almost never see one of them all by itself. However, the group can be as few as two and they will be happy with it. The number in a group rarely will be more than twelve. They stay close to the shoreline so when they come up for air it is common for people to be able to get a good view of them.

They are very playful and so people tend to want to watch them. They are extremely curious too so they will stop what they are doing to observe boats and people in the general area. Some people assume that they are aggressive due to the fact that they will swim next to boats. Yet it is merely their curiosity mixed with their fast swimming abilities that allow them to do so.

Diet /Feeding

The Hector’s dolphin feeds towards the bottom of the water. Some of their favorite types of food include fish, flounder, cod, crab, and squid. They tend to hunt at night and to rely upon sonar vibrations to help them find their prey in the dark.

Reproduction

Reproduction takes place when they are about 8 years of age. They will mate late in the spring time. It takes about one year for the young to be born. The mother’s are excellent caregivers. They will remain with their young for about 3 years until they are ready to engage in the mating process again. They will consume only her milk until they are about one year old. Then she will teach them how to hunt.

They have a low birth rate though and that is another concern for them. When food is scarce or the natural environment has been upset they won’t mate.

Conservation

In 1999 the Hector’s dolphin was classified as threatened. It is now illegal to intentionally harm or kill one. Still, many are injured or killed due to boats that they cross paths with in the open waters. Pollution of their natural environment is another huge problem. Many of them die annually due to eating items such as plastic bags that make it impossible for them to digest food properly.

The Hector’s dolphin can live in the wild for about 18 years.

Human interaction

There are quite a few dangers out there for the Hector’s dolphins due to humans. Fishing nets are responsible for many deaths and accidents.