Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN

Lissodelphis borealis

a bird flying over a body of water
a whale jumping out of the water
animal on the water
a whale jumping out of the water
a pair of dolphins jumping over a body of water
a pod of dolphins jumping over a body of water

NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHINS: MONTEREY'S OCEANIC GEMS.

Northern Right Whale Dolphins are the only species of dolphin in the North Pacific Ocean without a dorsal fin. They are found in the deep, cold to warm temperate waters of the Pacific Ocean. They usually travel in groups of 100 to 200 individuals but sometimes travel in groups of up to 3,000 also called ‘megapod’. They are “acrobatic” swimmers and can leap more than 20 feet over the surface of the water.

Diet

Squid, Opportunistic Feeder

Population Status | Monterey

Legal Protection

Marine Mammal Protection Act, National Marine Protected Area Act

Threats

Biotoxin (Algal Blooms), Human Related Loss (Habitat Loss, Ocean Noise, Hunting, Food Source Loss, Climate Change, Disturbance, Entanglement, Harassment, Oil Spills, Pollution, Boat Strikes, Collisions)

Size

7’7″ft (Female)
10ft (Male)

Weight

200 lb (Female)
240 lb (Male)

BEHAVIORS

  • Breaching

  • Bow-Riding

  • Mixed Species Pod