The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation
Atlantic White-Sided Dolphin (Laghenorynchus acutus)
The Atlantic White-Sided dolphin is one of the most colorful species of all of the cetaceans. These dolphins can be recognized by their bold, well defined white and yellowish-tan patches on their sides, as well as their short, inconspicuous beaks, and their robust body shape. White-Sided dolphins are gregarious and very playful, and are known also as "lags" or "jumpers", as it is common to see these dolphins breach fully out of the water. White sided dolphins have moderately tall falcate dorsal fins, and have a very thick and keeled caudal peduncle. These animals have 29-40 teeth in each jaw, which allow them to catch and feed on herring, hake, squid, mackerel, and various benthic fish. The Atlantic White-Sided dolphin is found only in waters of the temperate North Atlantic, where it prefers shelf waters and deep slope and canyon waters, but these animals may tend to move inshore in summer months and offshore in winter months. Adults can reach lengths up to 9.5 feet, and can weigh more than 510 pounds, with males being slightly larger than females. These dolphins can live to be at least 17 years old, and major threats to their populations include humans and sharks.
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