Hector's Dolphin
| Scientific Name | Cephalorhynchus hectori |  | |
| English Common Name | Hector’s dolphins | ||
| Taxonomy | Class: Mammalia Order: Cetacea Sub-order: Odontoceti Family: Delphinidae Genus: Cephalorhynchus Species: hectori | ||
| Behaviour | Hector’s dolphins are not known to bow-ride and actually actively avoid fast boats, preferring slow or stationary vessels. They are found in small groups. | ||
| World Distribution | Hector’s dolphins are endemic to New Zealand and are more likely to be seen off South Islands and the western coast of North Island. They prefer shallow waters and may enter estuaries and swim slightly upriver. They are usually found within 1km of the shore and rarely further than 8km from the shore | ||
| Morphology | Like all dolphins from the Cephalorhynchus Genus, Hector’s dolphins do not have a distinct beak. They are also one of the smallest cetaceans, only growing to 1.5m or less. From a distance they can look almost black but it actually has quite striking and complex markings. They have a white belly, armpits and throat, black dorsal fin and tail, and light grey sides and back. They also have a dorsal fin that is very easy to identify because it is very rounded and leans backwards rather than straight up. When they are born Hector’s dolphins are between 60 and 75cm long and weigh approximately 9kg. Adults grow between 1.2 and 1.5 metres and weigh between 35 and 60kg. Hector’s dolphins diet includes fish, squid and sometimes crustaceans. | ||
| Threats | The primary threat is incidental entanglement in coastal gill-nets. Other threats include human disturbance and habitat loss and degradation | ||
| Status | Hector’s dolphins are one of the rarest marine mammals in the world with a population estimate of between 3,000 – 4,000 individuals. The North Island subpopulation (otherwise known as Maui’s dolphin) is classified as Critically Endangered. | ||
| Conservation Activities | CMS status “not listed” IUCN – Endangered | ||
