Indian Humpback Dolphin

Fascinating facts about the Indian Humpback Dolphin

• Water depth is the chief constraint on where Indian Ocean humpback dolphins can live, so the majority of individuals stay in water less than 20 m deep. This shallow preference ties the species tightly to the coastline, because its offshore range depends on the local physiography of the shore. They have been recorded in almost every type of coastal habitat, yet the exact habitat they use varies with location.
• Indian Ocean humpback dolphins are set apart by a fatty hump on their back, a feature absent in the closely related Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin which instead shows a larger dorsal fin. They are medium-sized, measuring between 2 and 2.8 metres long and weighing 150-200 kg, giving them a robust build for coastal life. Colouration varies among individuals, but juveniles are generally gray with a darker shade on the upper side than the belly.
• When an Indian Ocean humpback dolphin surfaces it does so at a steep 30- to 45-degree angle, often presenting the rostrum and sometimes the whole head before the back arches. This distinctive motion may also reveal the flukes as the animal completes the ascent.
• Calf and juvenile mortality in Indian Ocean humpback dolphins is extremely high, driven mainly by human activities. Pollution, habitat degradation and chronic noise disturb the shallow coastal waters they depend on, leading to many young deaths.
• Recent investigations have identified the United Arab Emirates as home to one of the world's largest groups of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins. These critical numbers are found along the Arabian peninsula's coastline, especially near Oman and the UAE, where suitable shallow bays provide the shallow (<20 m) waters the species prefers. Because the dolphins show little migratory behaviour, the populations remain locally concentrated, making regional protection vital.

Sources

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• Wikipedia

At a glance

About the Indian Humpback Dolphin

In the warm, azure waters of the Indian Ocean, the Indian Humpback Dolphin glides effortlessly, its sleek, grey body undulating as it navigates the complex network of coral reefs and coastal shallows. With a distinctive hump on its back, this enigmatic creature moves with a quiet confidence, its dorsal fin slicing through the surface with a soft whoosh, as it hunts for fish and crustaceans in the rich, tropical seas. As it leaps and plays in the waves, its intelligent, curious nature shines through, a testament to the remarkable adaptability and resilience of this endangered species.

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