kanaloa

La Plata Dolphins

La Plata Dolphin (Stenodelphis blainvilUi)
Among the lesser-known kinds of dolphins that are 'found solely in the Southern Hemisphere, the La Plata Dolphin is recognized as being the most specialized, not only in its skeletal construction but in its outward form . It seems to prefer the estuaries of fresh-water rivers, but appears occasionally in coastal waters on the Atlantic side of South America.
The record length and weight for a female are respectively 68 inches and 88 pounds; fullgrown males are at least 6 inches shorter and weigh approximately 70 pounds. Their dull coloration, small size, and unobtrusive habits tend to render them quite inconspicuous and protect them from the attacks of some of their more cannibalistic relatives. They travel, feed, and breed in small schools. The newborn young are surprisingly small, measuring about 18 inches in length and weighing 15 pounds.
La Plata Dolphins delight in coming alongside fishing boats and thus are readily captured by fishermen. They rarely are seen in the Plata estuary during the winter. Perhaps at this season most of the schools migrate northward along the Brazilian coast or frequent the high seas in approximately the same latitude.
Their teeth, quite long, slender as toothpicks, and sharply pointed, are marvelously adapted for catching and holding soft-bodied prey. The food of this dolphin consists chiefly of the silvery mullet which swim in shoals and certain croakerlike fish which are noted for their ability to make a drumming noise.

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