DWARF SPINNER DOLPHINS

Photographed near Ashmore Reef, Western Australia, November 2019

123                       DWARF SPINNER DOLPHINS                Stenella roseiventris

AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS                123

A dwarf form of the spinner dolphin. First found in the Gulf of Thailand; found in Eastern Pacific and  Gulf of Thailand. Eats ethnic fish in reefs and shallow waters.

RISSO'S DOLPHINS

Photographed near Ashmore Reef, Western Australia, November 2019

122                 RISSO’S DOLPHINS           Grampus griseus

AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS                  122

Found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. Normally groups of 5 to 50 or more, sometimes with other dolphins. Often active at surface, tends to ignore boats. Blow very indistinct, typically short dives and surfaces at 45 degree angle.

FRASER'S DOLPHINS

Photographed near Ashmore Reef, November 2019

121                FRASER’S DOLPHINS                     Lagenodelphis hosei

AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS                 121

Found worldwide in deep tropical waters from 30 degrees north to 30 degrees south. Aggressive swimmer with pods creating much splashing; tends to be in large groups, may be mixed pods. 

SHORT-FINNED PILOT WHALES

Photographed off Scott’s Reef, WA, November 2019

120                     SHORT-FINNED PILOT WHALES                         Globicephala macrorhynchus

AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS                    120

Two distinctive races; Southern Hemisphere G. m. melas. Generally abundant in temperate to tropical waters of all major mid-latitude oceans, reaching 25 degrees south. Up to 7.2 m. Groups typically 15-50Travels in lines in scattered sub-groups and individuals. Very sociable and frequently associates with other species. 

PYGMY KILLER WHALES

Photographed off Scott’s Reef, Western Australia, November 2019

119                 PYGMY KILLER WHALE                    Feresa attenuata 

AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS                   119

Rarely acrobats but occasionally leaps clear of water when signalling.  Found in tropical and sub-tropical seas of all major oceans, in deep, warm waters, and rarely near land, except around oceanic islands. Usually in groups of less than 50, but typically 15-25 which swim in co-ordinated lines  but bunch in alarm.Usually does not associate with other cetaceans.

PANTROPICAL SPOTTED DOLPHINS

Photographed off Scott’s Reef, Western Australia, November 2019

118                    PANTROPICAL SPOTTED DOLPHIN                    Stenella attenuata

AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS                       118

Abundant and highly gregarious; sometimes groups of 1000 individuals. Fast and highly acrobatic, frequently bow rides. In excess of 3 million world-wide; found in tropical and warm-temperate seas; appears to move inshore in autumn/winter.

MELON-HEADED WHALE

Photographed off Broome, Western Australia, November 2019

117                  MELON-HEADED WHALE                       Peponocephala electra

AUSTRALIAN MAMMALS                   117

Gregarious; fast swimmers. Found in pan tropical oceans, most records between 20 degrees south and 20 degrees north.