image credit: whatadqr
image credit: Creature Temple
image credit: mthalen
image credit: NikonDavid2007
image credit: madebackwards
image credit: arkive.orgStatus: Data Deficient
Anyways, this is the Commerson’s Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) though I prefer to call it by its other common name, the Panda Dolphin. Why? Because it’s cuter. Obvs.
The species is only distributed in two locations in the world. The larger population is found inshore in various inlets in Argentina, in the Strait of Magellan and near the Falkland Islands. The second population (discovered in the 1950s) resides near the Kerguelen Islands. Population information is incomplete on the Panda Dolphin, but it’s estimated that there are around 3,400 individuals in the Straight of Magellan alone.
Males and females can be distinguished by the the different shape of the black blotch on their bellies. It is shaped like a teardrop in males but more rounded in females!
If you want to see a Panda Dolphin for yourself, there are around two dozen in captivity including including SeaWorld San Diego, Aquatica.
