A small, sleek marine mammal known for its distinctive hourglass coloration pattern and highly social behavior, inhabiting temperate and tropical ocean regions worldwide.
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Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Pelagic zones of temperate and tropical oceans, preferring waters with temperatures between 10-25°C, commonly found in coastal and offshore marine environments with high productivity
Ecological Role
Key predator in marine ecosystems, controlling populations of small fish and squid, serving as important indicators of ocean health and marine ecosystem balance
Morphology
- SKIN COAT Smooth, rubbery skin with minimal hair, specialized for hydrodynamic movement and thermal regulation
- LIMBS WINGS Powerful tail flukes for propulsion, paired pectoral flippers for steering and maneuvering, no external hind limbs
- HEAD SENSORY Pronounced beak, well-developed echolocation capabilities, complex auditory and visual sensory systems for marine navigation and hunting
- BODY STRUCTURE Streamlined body length 1.7-2.4 meters, weight 70-110 kg, with distinctive hourglass-shaped color pattern of gray, white, and yellow/tan regions
Data Source: TaxonHub Database
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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