Atlantic white-sided dolphin

In the St. Lawrence

Both species are regular visitors to the Gulf from spring to fall, especially off the coast of the Lower North Shore. The Atlantic white-sided dolphin, which is especially abundant, is also observed in the Gaspé and approaches the coasts in summer and fall. The populations of the white-sided dolphin and the white-beaked dolphin in the Gulf are estimated at 12,000 and 2600 individuals, respectively. The presence of both of these species in the Estuary is exceptional and generally short-lived.

Migration

These dolphins do not undertake any seasonal migration, even if north-south movements are observed.

In the world

These two species live in the cold temperate waters of the North Atlantic. The white-beaked dolphin ranges farther north, inhabiting ice-free arctic and subarctic waters.

In 1991, the Atlantic white-sided dolphin was assessed and deemed “not at risk” by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). This species is designated “least concern” on the IUCN’s Red List, and does not appear in the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the American Endangered Species Act. The species is also not included in the List of threatened or vulnerable species in Quebec under the Act Respecting Threatened or Vulnerable Species.

Feeding

They feed primarily on small pelagic fish, squid and occasionally small benthic crustaceans. Near the surface, they show cooperation behaviour to encircle their prey and capture them. When feeding, these dolphins are often associated with fin and humpback whales.

On the surface

Dolphins are fast swimmers and can attain speeds of between 25 and 45 km/h. Their swimming is both energetic and spectacular. They come to the surface to breath every 10-15 seconds. They leap and spin out of the water and land noisily on the surface; in terms of aerial acrobatics, the white-beaked dolphin is less exuberant. They sometimes swim in the bow waves or wake of passing boats. They can even be seen harassing larger whales to swim faster and thereby create a wave that they can ride.

Diving

Their diving habits are poorly known, but their prey are generally located within 100 m of the surface.

Social

These two gregarious species live in groups ranging from 3 to 50 or so individuals, which in turn make up larger herds containing several hundred or even several thousand animals. White-sided dolphins can swim in very tight formations, practically touching one another. In the case of the white-beaked dolphin, segregation is practised within the pods, with juveniles forming separate groups from those of adults and their calves.

Vocalization

The vocal repertory of these two species is not known. It is assumed that, like other odontocetes, they emit high-frequency sounds to navigate and detect their prey (echolocation) as well as lower-frequency sounds.

Little is known about the reproduction of these two species. Reproduction for the Atlantic white-sided dolphin takes place between May and September, with calving peaking in June and July. Gestation lasts between 10 and 11 months.