Mammals
Chilean Dolphin
Cephalorhynchus eutropia · also called black dolphin
Rarely straying far from the shallow bays and fjords of its home coastline, a Chilean dolphin is one of the smallest dolphin species on Earth, found nowhere in the world except the waters along Chile itself.
Overview
The Chilean dolphin, Cephalorhynchus eutropia, is a Near Threatened marine mammal native to coastal habitat along the length of the Chilean coastline, including southern fjords and channels. Its status as one of the smallest dolphin species, its single-country endemism, and its preference for shallow, sheltered water make it one of the more geographically confined small dolphins found anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
A dolphin that never leaves home waters
While many dolphin species range across ocean basins spanning multiple countries, the Chilean dolphin has never been found anywhere outside its home coastline, a degree of geographic restriction unusual even among small, coastal-dwelling dolphin species.
Status
Near Threatened, with populations having declined in parts of their range due to entanglement in fishing nets, despite the species remaining present across most of its coastal range.
Chilean Dolphin: common questions
Where is the Chilean dolphin found?
This species is found only along the coast of Chile, making it entirely endemic to a single country rather than ranging into neighbouring waters like several other small Southern Hemisphere dolphins.
How does the Chilean dolphin compare in size with other dolphins?
This species is one of the smallest dolphin species in the world, with a compact, rounded body shape typical of its genus, noticeably smaller than many better-known dolphin species.
What kind of habitat does the Chilean dolphin prefer?
This species favours shallow coastal habitats including bays, fjords, and river mouths, rather than venturing far out into open ocean like many other dolphin species.
Why is the Chilean dolphin considered Near Threatened?
This species faces significant mortality from entanglement in fishing nets set in the shallow coastal waters it favours, contributing to population declines in parts of its range.