Indian Ocean Bottlenose dolphins together with the endangered Humpback dolphin are both cross border species who are regularly sighted moving between the iSimangaliso Kosi Bay Sanctuary and the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve. The Dolphins of Ponta ID project has been on-going with 300 dolphins identified and lineage tracing back 5 generations on some individuals!
* Inshore Bottlenose Dolphins (T. aduncus)
Only received their own classification in 1998 - meaning that they are a relatively ‘new’ species! They are characterized by being slightly smaller than the oceanic bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) with a longer, pronounced beak and falcate dorsal fin. Like their spotted cousins they begin freckling on their bellies as they reach sexual maturity. The older the dolphin, the more fused the freckling. Varying shades of grey coloration are found and they have a cape that runs from behind the head with some individuals having distinct dark eye patches. They have a lifespan that can be comparable to ours, living as long as 45+ years in the wild with a fully mature adult measuring 2,5 meters in length and weighing 185kg’s.
Appearance
Longish prominent beak, varying shades of grey with lighter grey ‘cape’ that runs from behind the head. Freckles on the sides and belly start at sexual maturity. Diet: Reef, sandy bottom & pelagic fish, cephalopods
Longevity ~45+ years
Gestation ~12 months
Size (2,5m = 185kg)
* Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea)
The occurrence of the shy and illusive humpback dolphin in Ponta do Ouro has been recorded for the past decade. This highly endangered species is seen, normally in association with the gregarious bottlenose dolphin in small groups
