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Sousa chinensis (Osbeck, 1765)
| Family Name: | Delphinidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Vertebrates (Mammal) |
| Common Name: | Indo-Pacific Hump-backed Dolphin |
Name
Description
| Description | Adults usually have long, low hump on the back with a small triangular fin on top, but some forms lack the hump and have a larger fin. Colours vary from uniform dull grey to pure white or pink, with some speckled individuals. |
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Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Coastal seas and estuaries. In Singapore, usually seen in open water. This dolphin travels in groups of varying size and feeds mainly on fish. |
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| Habitats | Marine, Open Sea |
| Distribution | In Singapore, observed in the Singapore Straits, as well as in the Johor Straits between Pulau Tekong and Punggol. Widely distributed in the tropical Indo-Pacific from Africa eastward to along the Western Pacific. |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Possibly water pollution and of drowning in fishing nets. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | Captive performing individuals at Underwater World Singapore are a tourist attraction. |
| Conservation Notes | Stringent policing against water pollution. |
Status
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Endangered (EN) [2008] |
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Photos
References
| References | Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp Francis, C.M. 2008. A field guide to the mammals of South-east Asia. United Kingdom: New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd. 392pp |
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