Latin name

Lagenorhynchus albirostris

Other names

Lagenorhynchus albirostris

Identification

They have a rather powerful build and a muscular body. They have between 25 and 28 teeth on each jaw. They have up to 92 vertebrae, more than any other species in the Delphinidae family.

Features of fish fins

The dorsal fin is high and protrudes well above the water surface.

Fish colouring

The top of the body behind the dorsal fin and the sides are greyish white, the underside of the body is white. The upper side of the body in front of the dorsal fin is greyish black. The flippers and dorsal fin are blackish. The beak is usually white, but sometimes ashy grey.

Distribution

Occupies the North Atlantic and adjacent waters from Davis Strait and Cape Cod to the Barents and Baltic Seas and southwards to the coastal waters of Portugal and possibly Turzi.

Sailing speed

Can swim at speeds of up to 30 km/h and dive to a depth of at least 45 metres.

Habitat

It is found in temperate waters close to shore in pairs or schools of 10-12 individuals, sometimes several hundred in a school.

Size

Very large dolphins, up to 3 metres long and 354 kilograms.

Behavior

With the onset of winter cold, they begin to migrate to warmer waters to spend the winter in more comfortable conditions. Often migrate with other members of the family.

The movements of these dolphins are fast and energetic, jumping high and often out of the water.

White-beaked dolphins like to accompany passing ships.

Food and feeding habits

It feeds mainly on demersal and benthic fish (cod, herring, flounder, navaga, capelin, merganser) and less commonly on crustaceans and molluscs.

Reproduction

Mating and birthing take place in summer. Females reach adult size at about five years of age and become sexually mature between six and ten years of age, while males reach adult size at about ten years of age and become sexually mature about two years later than females.

Relationship with a person

Characterised by the presence of social behaviour.