Pacific white-sided dolphin

Description

The Pacific white-sided dolphin has three colors.The chin,throat and belly are creamy white.The beak,flippers,back,and dorsal fin are a dark gray.Light gray patches are seen on the sides and a further light gray stripe runs from above the eye to below the dorsal fin,where it thickens along the tail stock.A dark gray ring surrounds the eyes. The species is an average-sized oceanic dolphin.Females weigh up to 150 kg (330 lb) and males 200 kg (440 lb) with males reaching 2.5 m (8.2 ft) and females 2.3 m (7.5 ft) in length.Pacific white-sided dolphins usually tend to be larger than dusky dolphins.Females reach maturity at seven years.From 1990 to 1991,a study conducted by Richard C.Ferrero and William A.Walker revealed the vast majority of Pacific white-sided dolphins that fell victim to the drift nets were between the ages of 8.3 to 11 when they sexually matured.The gestation period usually last for one year.Individuals are believed to live up 40 years or more.