PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

Pacific White-sided dolphin This North Pacific dolphin has the species name 'obliquidens' meaning 'slanting teeth' because of its slightly curved teeth. The Pacific White-sided dolphin is often confused with the common dolphin as they both travel around in large groups and have light side patches. However, the Pacific White-sided dolphin has a short thin beak unlike that of the common dolphin. It also has a thin grey stripe along both sides, from the head, past the dorsal fin and finishing ina large white, near flank patch. They often have two colour dorasal fins, dark on the front half and grey or white on the back. The Pacific White-sided dolphin is very acrobatic and sociable. They often swim in groups of up to 100, although there can be as many as 1,000 to 2,000 in a group. Like bottlenose dolphins, they are very curious. Pacific White-sided dolphins mainly live offshore in the cool temperate waters of the North Pacific Ocean. They measure from 1.7m-2.4m, thats both males and females and at birth 1.1m. They eat fish and squid.