Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) is one of six species in the genus Cephalorhynchus and the only cetacean endemic to New Zealand, comprising the South Island form and the critically endangered Maui dolphin subspecies. It is the smallest dolphin species, with mature adults measuring 1.2 to 1.6 meters and weighing 40 to 60 kilograms, and is marked by a rounded dorsal fin, gray, white and black coloring, a stocky body, a black facial mask and a thin black line running from the head to the blowhole, with a white throat and belly. It favors shallow coastal waters around the South Island, generally out to about 100 meters deep though most sightings are in shallower water, living in small groups and feeding as a generalist on prey mostly under 10 centimeters, including red cod, flatfish, squid and other benthic animals. It is listed as Endangered, with the Maui subspecies down to about 48 individuals as of 2023. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Living or Extinct Scientific NameCephalorhynchus hectori 4 Conservation Status Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Hector's dolphin (Wikidata)
In Biome
Marine, Biomes Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Cephalorhynchus hectori (Animal Diversity Web)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014)
2. Wikipedia: Hector's dolphin
system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)Quote, system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
Action to conserve the species has been taken through the establishment of marine protected areas and other recent protections.
View the Source 3. SeaLifeBase: Cephalorhynchus hectori summary
4. Hector's dolphin (Wikidata)
Wikidata- Wikidata Q300961 (P225 taxon name)
Statements section, conservation status (P141)
IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): endangered.
- Child Taxon Of: Cephalorhynchus, Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q583001 (Cephalorhynchus)
View the Source 5. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Cephalorhynchus hectori (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status: CITES
CITES Appendix II
In Biome: Marine, Habitat Regions
Habitat Regions temperate temperate saltwater or marine saltwater or marine
View the Source 6. Hector's dolphin (Wikipedia)
Introduction
Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) is one of six dolphin species belonging to the genus Cephalorhynchus. Hector's dolphin is the only cetacean endemic to New Zealand, and comprises two subspecies: C. h. hectori, the more numerous subspecies, also referred to as South Island Hector's dolphin, and C. h. maui, the critically endangered Māui dolphin that is found off the West Coast of New Zealand's North Island.
- Category: Fauna listed on CITES Appendix II
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