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Dolphin Feature - Northern Right Whale Dolphin

© Carma Haley Shoemaker

TThe Northern Right Whale Dolphin's scientific name, Lissodelphis borealis, is from the Greek word lissos, which means smooth. This is in reference to the dolphin's appearance and lack of a dorsal fin. Borealis is from the Latin language and means "from the North." The scientific name was given to the Northern Right Whale Dolphin by Titian Peale in 1848 to distinguish it from the Southern Right Whale Dolphin, which had been known for many years.

The Northern Right Whale Dolphin can be found in temperate waters of the Pacific Ocean from the Sea of Japan to the Middle California Coast. This species was once once considered rare, but now is one of the most abundant of these waters.

The male of the species can grow to be 10 feet long while the female is smaller reaching lengths of only 7.5 feet. Calves are born with lengths of 3 to 4 feet. The maximum weight for a Northern Right Whaled Dolphin on record is 135 pounds.

The appearance of the Northern Right Whale Dolphin is sleek and smooth. Mainly black in appearance, the various white colored patterns on the underside of the dolphin are one way to identify individual dolphins. However, these marking are usually only visible while the dolphins are leaping, spinning or flipping. The flippers of this species are also sleek and slim. The lateral flippers are small with pointed ends, which aid in their swimming speed.

As stated previously, the Northern Right Whale Dolphin was once on the endangered species list. However, protection laws instated in 1964 have aided in this species' repopulating. Now off the endangered species list, there are plenty of the Northern Right Whale Dolphins for everyone to see....