# Atlantic White-sided Dolphin (*Leucopleurus acutus*) The Atlantic White-sided Dolphin is a playful and friendly marine mammal that loves to swim in the ocean. They are known for their beautiful gray and white coloring and can often be seen jumping out of the water! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** Atlantic Dolphin, White-sided Dolphin ![Atlantic White-sided Dolphin](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/185377668/medium.jpg) Photo: Anna, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/185377668) ## Appearance The Atlantic White-sided Dolphin has a sleek, torpedo-shaped body with a dark gray or black back and a bright white belly. Its most striking feature is a distinctive yellow-tan stripe on its side, curving from below its dorsal fin towards its tail, differentiating it from other dolphin species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Cetacea - **Family:** Delphinidae - **Genus:** Lagenorhynchus ## Interesting facts - Atlantic White-sided Dolphins can live in huge groups, sometimes over a thousand! - Their yellow-tan side patch makes them easy to identify among other dolphin species. - These dolphins can dive over 200 meters deep to find tasty meals! - They often leap completely out of the water, a spectacular display called breaching! ## Special abilities - **Sonar Senses:** Atlantic White-sided Dolphins can use echolocation to navigate and hunt prey in the dark depths of the ocean. - **Super Swimmer:** Atlantic White-sided Dolphins can reach bursts of 40 km/h, helping them chase down fast-moving fish and squid. - **Social Talker:** Atlantic White-sided Dolphins have complex whistles and clicks that help them communicate with large pods. - **Acrobatic Jumper:** Atlantic White-sided Dolphins can breach high out of the water, which helps them communicate or dislodge parasites. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 250-280 cm - **Weight:** 200-230 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-30 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 330-350 days ## Diet & Feeding They love to eat small fish and squid found in the chilly waters of the Atlantic. - **Primary Foods:** Atlantic Mackerel, Herring, Hake, Squid, Krill - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Atlantic Mackerel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-mackerel) (*Scomber scombrus*) — A primary food source in their diet. - **Hunts:** [Atlantic Herring](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-herring) (*Clupea harengus*) — Often found feeding on large schools of these fish. - **Eaten by:** [Orca](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orca) (*Orcinus orca*) — Sometimes preyed upon by these larger marine predators. - **Hunts:** Northern shortfin squid (*Illex illecebrosus*) — A significant part of their diet, especially in deeper waters. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Echolocation](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/echolocation): Echolocation is a biological sonar used by animals to navigate, hunt, and communicate by emitting sound waves and interpreting the echoes. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch dolphins from a distance and never try to touch or feed them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Atlantic White-sided Dolphin? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Atlantic White-sided Dolphin? 250-280 cm ### How much does Atlantic White-sided Dolphin weigh? 200-230 kg ### How long does Atlantic White-sided Dolphin live? 20-30 years ### How fast can Atlantic White-sided Dolphin move? 40 km/h ### What does Atlantic White-sided Dolphin eat? They love to eat small fish and squid found in the chilly waters of the Atlantic. ### Where is Atlantic White-sided Dolphin usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Atlantic White-sided Dolphin hunt? Pursuit ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Atlantic White-sided Dolphin Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-white-sided-dolphin)