Hobbies And Interests
Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin
The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin has a well-defined beak, stocky body and a dorsal fin that sits on top of a hump. Female Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins can grow to be a little more than 8 feet long while males can be more than 10 feet. While humpback dolphins in other regions can have pink and gray coloring, the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins found along northern Australia are nearly white. They are gregarious and hunt in small groups. Since the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin lives in shallower waters near the coast, they are more vulnerable to pollution and human activity such as netting and boating. The protection of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin is a high priority for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Australian Snubfin Dolphin
The Australian snubfin dolphin has three different colors on its body. The area near the dorsal fin is dark, the sides are light gray to brownish gray and the abdomen is white. They have a round melon, which is the fatty organ in the forehead, no beak and a small dorsal fin. They grow to an average of 6 1/2 feet. Unlike other dolphin species, the Australian snubfin dolphin is very shy and avoids human contact. Similar to the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, the Australian snubfin dolphin lives in the Queensland coast's inshore waters. The protection of snubfins is also considered a high priority for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Spinner Dolphin
The spinner dolphin is a very gregarious species that can be found all over the world, including the Great Barrier Reef. They have a curved dorsal fin, pointed flippers and a long beak. They are dark gray along the back, lighter gray in the middle and white on the belly. Adult spinner dolphins are about 6 1/2 feet long and weigh about 200 pounds. They get their name from the aerial maneuvers they perform when they jump out of the water.
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
Pantropical spotted dolphins have spots on their skin, a long beak and slender bodies. They are born without any spots but accumulate them as they age. Pantropical spotted dolphins are also characterized by their dark coloring along the back and white-tipped beak. They grow to an average length of 7 feet and weigh about 250 pounds. They are very social and can often be found swimming with other dolphin species, such as spinner dolphins, in the Great Barrier Reef.