Singapore wild marine mammal survey (marine mammal identification sheet)
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Indo Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) Maximum body length : about 2.8 m (9.2 ft) 1 Maximum body weight : about 280 kg 1 Colour varies with age from dark grey when young to pink when adult. Young adults appear speckled grey and pink. Elongated hump on back with small, triangular dorsal fin. Beak (jaw) exposed when surfacing, arches back and raises tail flukes when diving. Generally slow swimmer, rarely bow-rides and avoids boats. Generally seen in small groups of 5 - 6 animals. Feed mainly on fish. Prefer lagoons, estuaries and mangroves. Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus aduncus / Tursiops aduncus) Maximum body length : about 2.7 m 1 (8.9 ft) Maximum body weight : about 230 kg 1 Dark grey in colour with pale sometimes pink underside. Distinct beak (jaw) and prominent dorsal fin. Typically show forehead but not beak (jaw) when surfacing. Highly active, often bow-ride and breach. Frequently seen in groups of 6 - 8 animals or more. Feed mainly on fish but also on squid and crustaceans. 1 Marine Mammal Research Laboratory, Tropical Marine Science Institute National University of Singapore 14 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119223. Phone: (65) 6516 5587 Fax: (65) 6776 1455 Email: [email protected] Website: www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/mmrl SWiMMS hotline / SMS: 8100 8022 Funded by: Beak (jaw) Dorsal fin IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION SHEET
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Identification sheet (English) on how to identify wild marine mammals in Singapore. By the Singapore Wild Marine Mammal Survey (SWIMMS) http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/mmrl with permission from SWIMMS.
Transcript of Singapore wild marine mammal survey (marine mammal identification sheet)
Indo Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis)
Maximum body length : about 2.8 m (9.2 ft)1
Maximum body weight : about 280 kg1
Colour varies with age from dark grey when young to pink when adult.Young adults appear speckled grey and pink.Elongated hump on back with small, triangular dorsal fin.
Beak (jaw) exposed when surfacing, arches back and raises tail flukes whendiving. Generally slow swimmer, rarely bow-rides and avoids boats. Generallyseen in small groups of 5 - 6 animals. Feed mainly on fish. Prefer lagoons,estuaries and mangroves.
Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus aduncus / Tursiops aduncus)
Maximum body length : about 2.7 m1 (8.9 ft)Maximum body weight : about 230 kg1
Dark grey in colour with pale sometimes pink underside.Distinct beak (jaw) and prominent dorsal fin.
Typically show forehead but not beak (jaw) when surfacing. Highly active, oftenbow-ride and breach. Frequently seen in groups of 6 - 8 animals or more. Feedmainly on fish but also on squid and crustaceans.
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Marine Mammal Research Laboratory, Tropical Marine Science InstituteNational University of Singapore
14 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119223.
Phone: (65) 6516 5587 Fax: (65) 6776 1455Email: [email protected]
Website: www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/mmrlSWiMMS hotline / SMS: 8100 8022
Funded by:
Beak (jaw) Dorsal fin
IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION SHEET
Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris)
Maximum body length : about 1.7 m1 (5.6 ft)Weight : about 40 kgDark grey in color.Small, round head, no beak (protruding jaw) or dorsal fin.
Shy. Swim with quick, darting movements. Barely disturb water when surfacing.Mainly seen as single animals or in pairs. Feed mainly on crustaceans but alsolike squid and fish.
Maximum body length : about 2.8 m1 (9.2 ft)Average weight : about 115 - 130 kg1
Dark grey in color with pale underside.Small dorsal fin, well behind midpoint of body.
Slow swimmer, barely disturbs water when surfacing. Blow (breathing sound)usually loud. Generally seen in small groups fewer than 6. Feed mainly on fishbut also like squid and crustaceans. Like to inhabit estuaries, mangroves andrivers.
Finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides)
Dugong (Dugong dugon)
Maximum body length : about 3.3 m1 (10.8 ft)Weight : about 420 kgGrey-brown in color.Broad, flat muzzle with two nostrils on top of snout, no dorsal fin.
Adult dugongs may develop tusks. Often have a lot of scars on their backs.Frequent coastal waters, shallow protected bays, mangrove channels and inshoreislands. Feed on seagrass. Discrete when surfacing, often only their nostrilsappear above the surface. Slow moving.
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1 & Illustrations Jefferson, T.A., Webber, M.A. & Pitman, R.L.(2008). Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to their Identification. (1st Ed).Academic Press.
Nostrils
Blowhole
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