Hourglass dolphin

Often called the “sea panda” of the southern seas

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Hourglass dolphin

EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

Often called the “sea panda” of the southern seas

Population

A small, sleek marine mammal that inhabits the icy waters of the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. Unlike many other dolphins that live in warmer, coastal regions, the hourglass dolphin thrives in some of the harshest environments on Earth, navigating freezing, turbulent waters with remarkable agility. Rarely seen by humans, it remains one of the least studied dolphin species, adding an air of mystery to its beauty.

Its name comes from the distinctive black-and-white hourglass pattern along its sides—a striking contrast against the gray seas it inhabits. The upper body is jet black, while a white patch runs from the flanks up to the tail, meeting another white patch behind the dorsal fin to form an hourglass-like shape. The underbelly is pale white, and the dorsal fin is tall, curved, and black—often slicing elegantly through the waves as the dolphin surfaces. This coloration is a form of countershading, helping the dolphin blend into the dark ocean depths from above and the bright surface from below, making it less visible to predators like killer whales.

The hourglass dolphin lives in cold subantarctic and Antarctic waters, often near the edges of the polar ice and in areas of strong ocean currents such as the Drake Passage, between South America and Antarctica. They are fast, acrobatic swimmers, often seen riding the bow waves of ships or leaping through icy swells with effortless grace. Their diet consists mainly of small fish, squid, and crustaceans, which they hunt cooperatively in their pods. Like other dolphins, they use echolocation—sending out sound waves and listening for echoes—to navigate and locate prey in the dark, cold waters of their environment.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Antarctic ocean
2018
Atlantic Ocean
2018
Indian ocean
2018
Pacific ocean
2018
Antarctica
2018
Argentina
2018
Australia
2018
Bouvet Island
2018
Presence Uncertain
Chile
2018
Falkland Islands
2018
Malvinas
French Southern T.
2018
Kerguelen, Crozet Is.
New Zealand
2018
South Africa
2018
Marion-prince Edward Is.
South Georgia
2018

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Pod

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No