Head to head
Heaviside's Dolphin vs Hector's Dolphin
Heaviside's dolphin and Hector's dolphin belong to the same small genus of rounded-headed dolphins, sharing a similar build and a similarly restricted range, but on opposite sides of the Southern Hemisphere.
| Heaviside's Dolphin | Hector's Dolphin | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Cephalorhynchus heavisidii | Cephalorhynchus hectori |
| Range | Southwestern Africa (Namibia, South Africa) | Around New Zealand |
| Named after | The collector of the first specimen | Sir James Hector, a naturalist |
| Critically endangered subspecies | No | Yes, the Maui dolphin |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened | Endangered |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Main threat | Bycatch and habitat disturbance | Entanglement in fishing nets |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Heaviside's Dolphin vs Hector's Dolphin: common questions
How are Heaviside’s dolphin and Hector’s dolphin related?
Both belong to the same small genus of rounded-headed, small-bodied dolphins, but they occupy entirely separate ranges on opposite sides of the Southern Hemisphere, Heaviside's dolphin off southwestern Africa and Hector's dolphin around New Zealand, making them close relatives rather than the same species.
Which of these two dolphins is in greater danger?
Hector's dolphin faces the more acute crisis overall, particularly through its Maui dolphin subspecies found only off New Zealand's North Island and numbering only in the dozens, a level of endangerment more severe than what Heaviside's dolphin currently faces off southwestern Africa.
How can you tell Heaviside’s dolphin from Hector’s dolphin?
Range is the clearest distinguishing feature, since Heaviside's dolphin is found only off southwestern Africa while Hector's dolphin is found only around New Zealand, and Hector's dolphin's distinctive rounded, mouse-ear-shaped dorsal fin also offers a useful visual clue where the two might otherwise seem similar.