Fraser Coast Dolphins

The three main species of dolphins that are found in the region consist of the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), bottlenose (Tursiops aduncus) and the indo-pacific humpback (Sousa chinesis). We have provided some information below to highlight these beautiful species that dwell in the Fraser Coast region.

The common dolphin is can be short nosed and long nosed. The short nose common dolphin usually stays in deep water while the long nose common dolphin is known to be found in shallower water. This species is found to be very social travelling in pods of several hundreds, even several thousands sometimes. Due to this social interaction the dolphins use touch and echolocation, thriving from the contact of other common dolphins. However they are also found to be very vocal and have different call between pods. 

A bottlenose dolphin is a sleek swimmer getting up to high speeds and surfacing for air. They are also a very social species using a combination of squeaks and whistles to communicate. The bottlenose dolphin tracks prey with a complex system of echolocation, producing thousands of clicks per second to create sound that travels through the water. When the sound reaches objects the sound bounces back to transfer the size, location and shape of the object it hit. 

The indo-pacific humpback dolphin is a pale grey with a shade of off white and spotter underneath, while their calves take on a more cream colour. Some of the threats that are facing the indo-pacific dolphin much like all the species of dolphins are habitat destruction, boating activities, pollution and nets, to name a few.

Our species of dolphins, found here on the Fraser Coast are a part of our marine diversity and are a beautiful addition to our ecosystem. You can stay up to date with the dolphin species along with the Fraser Coast marine and wildlife species by signing up to our email newsletter and getting involved.

Sources: 
Image courtesy of Blue Dolphin Marine Tours
http://www.dolphins-world.com/common-dolphin/
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/mammals/bottlenose-dolphin/
https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals-az/indopacific_humpback_dolphin.html