# Pacific White-sided Dolphin (*Sagmatias obliquidens*) The Pacific White-sided Dolphin is a playful and friendly marine mammal. They love to jump and spin in the water, making them fun to watch! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Pacific White-sided Dolphin](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pacific_white_side_dolphin.jpg&width=800) Photo: Tom Kieckhefer, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pacific_white_side_dolphin.jpg) ## Appearance The Pacific White-sided Dolphin has a sleek, torpedo-shaped body with a dark grey or black back and a bright white belly. Its sides feature a distinctive light gray stripe that sweeps up towards its dorsal fin, making it easily identifiable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Cetacea - **Family:** Delphinidae - **Genus:** Lagenorhynchus ## Interesting facts - Pacific White-sided Dolphins communicate using whistles, clicks, and even squeals! - Their unique body pattern acts like camouflage, breaking up their outline in the water! - These dolphins can dive over 300 feet deep to catch their favorite snacks! - They often 'porpoise,' leaping completely out of the water while swimming! ## Special abilities - **Super Swimmer:** Pacific White-sided Dolphins have a powerful tail fluke that helps them swim incredibly fast and leap high out of the water. - **Wave Rider:** Pacific White-sided Dolphins can surf ocean waves and bow-ride boats because of their agile bodies and playful nature. - **Pod Power:** Pacific White-sided Dolphins can hunt and communicate in huge groups because of their complex social behaviors and vocalizations. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 170-250 cm - **Weight:** 80-200 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-40 years - **Speed:** 48 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 300-365 days ## Diet & Feeding These speedy dolphins love to feast on small fish, squid, and octopus found in the ocean. - **Primary Foods:** Northern Anchovy, Market Squid, Pacific Hake, Sardine, Rockfish - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Orca](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orca) (*Orcinus orca*) — Sometimes preyed upon, especially juveniles. - **Hunts:** Pacific Hake (*Merluccius productus*) — One of their primary fish prey species. - **Hunts:** Northern Anchovy (*Engraulis mordax*) — A favorite small schooling fish to catch. - **Hunts:** Market Squid (*Doryteuthis opalescens*) — Often hunts these squid during night dives. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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 stay at a safe distance from dolphins when you see them in the wild. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pacific 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 Pacific White-sided Dolphin? 170-250 cm ### How much does Pacific White-sided Dolphin weigh? 80-200 kg ### How long does Pacific White-sided Dolphin live? 30-40 years ### How fast can Pacific White-sided Dolphin move? 48 km/h ### What does Pacific White-sided Dolphin eat? These speedy dolphins love to feast on small fish, squid, and octopus found in the ocean. ### Where is Pacific White-sided Dolphin usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Pacific White-sided Dolphin hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Shedd Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shedd-aquarium) — Illinois, US · Aquarium - [Shedd Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shedd-aquarium-illinois) — Illinois, US · Zoo - [Olympic National Park Headquarters Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/olympic-national-park-headquarters-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District - [Sechelt Inlets Marine Provincial Park - Kunechin Point Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sechelt-inlets-marine-provincial-park-kunechin-point-site) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [SeaWorld San Antonio](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seaworld-san-antonio-texas) — Texas, US · Zoo - [South Texada Island Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-texada-island-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Pacific White-sided Dolphin](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pacific-white-sided-dolphin) ## 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: [Pacific White-sided Dolphin: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-white-sided-dolphin)