Singapore wild marine mammal survey (marine mammal identification sheet)

IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION SHEET Marine Mammal Research Laboratory, Tropical Marine Science Institute National University of Singapore 14 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119223. Phone: (65) 6516 5587 Fax: (65) 6776 1455 Email: swimms@nus.edu.sg Website: www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/mmrl SWiMMS hotline / SMS: 8100 8022 Indo Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis)Beak (jaw) Dorsal fin Maximum body length : about 2.8 m (9.2 ft)1 Maximum body weight : about 280 kg1 Colour varies with age from dark grey when young to pink when adult. Young adults appear speckled grey and pink. Elongated hump on back with small, triangular dorsal fin. Beak (jaw) exposed when surfacing, arches back and raises tail flukes when diving. Generally slow swimmer, rarely bow-rides and avoids boats. Generally seen in small groups of 5 - 6 animals. Feed mainly on fish. Prefer lagoons, estuaries and mangroves. Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus aduncus / Tursiops aduncus) Maximum body length : about 2.7 m1 (8.9 ft) Maximum body weight : about 230 kg1 Dark grey in colour with pale sometimes pink underside. Distinct beak (jaw) and prominent dorsal fin. Typically show forehead but not beak (jaw) when surfacing. Highly active, often bow-ride and breach. Frequently seen in groups of 6 - 8 animals or more. Feed mainly on fish but also on squid and crustaceans. 1 Funded by:

Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris)Maximum body length : about 2.8 m1 (9.2 ft)Average weight : about 115 - 130 kg1Dark grey in color with pale underside.Small dorsal fin, well behind midpoint of body.Slow swimmer, barely disturbs water when surfacing. Blow (breathing sound)usually loud. Generally seen in small groups fewer than 6. Feed mainly on fishbut also like squid and crustaceans. Like to inhabit estuaries, mangroves andrivers.Finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides)BlowholeMaximum body length : about 1.7 m1 (5.6 ft)Weight : about 40 kgDark grey in color.Small, round head, no beak (protruding jaw) or dorsal fin.Shy. Swim with quick, darting movements. Barely disturb water when surfacing.Mainly seen as single animals or in pairs. Feed mainly on crustaceans but alsolike squid and fish.Dugong (Dugong dugon) NostrilsMaximum body length : about 3.3 m1 (10.8 ft)Weight : about 420 kgGrey-brown in color.Broad, flat muzzle with two nostrils on top of snout, no dorsal fin.Adult dugongs may develop tusks. Often have a lot of scars on their backs.Frequent coastal waters, shallow protected bays, mangrove channels and inshoreislands. Feed on seagrass. Discrete when surfacing, often only their nostrilsappear above the surface. Slow moving.1 & Illustrations Jefferson, T.A., Webber, M.A. & Pitman, R.L.(2008). Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to their Identification. (1st Ed).Academic Press. 2 Funded by:

Singapore wild marine mammal survey (marine mammal identification sheet)

by Ria Tan on Jan 25, 2011

Accessibility

Categories

Tags

Upload Details

Usage Rights

2 Embeds 14

Statistics

Singapore wild marine mammal survey (marine mammal identification sheet) — Document Transcript

http://iyb2010singapore.blogspot.com	8
http://wildshores.blogspot.com	6