Peale’s dolphin  (Lagenorhynchus australis)

Range

Peale’s dolphin has a somewhat restricted range, being found only around the southern tip of South America, as far north as northern Argentina and Santiago, Chile. The species is commonly seen around the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and over Burdwood Bank, south of the Falkland Islands (2) (4) (6) (7). Possible sightings of Peale’s dolphins have also been reported from tropical waters, at Palmerston Atoll in the South Pacific, but this is considered to be outside the normal range and may even represent a new, undescribed species (2) (4) (6).

View a distribution map for this species at UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Habitat

Peale’s dolphin occurs in open coastal waters over shallow continental shelves, as well as in bays, inlets, channels, around islands and in the openings to fjords (1) (2) (4). Although recorded at depths of up to 300 metres, the species prefers shallower coastal waters (1) (2), and appears to be particularly associated with kelp beds (2) (4) (8).

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