Head to head
Peale's Dolphin vs Chilean Dolphin
Peale's Dolphin
VS Chilean Dolphin
Both dolphins share cold South American waters, but they favour very different kinds of coastline.
| Peale's Dolphin | Chilean Dolphin | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Lagenorhynchus australis | Cephalorhynchus eutropia |
| Size | Not among the smallest dolphins | One of the smallest dolphin species |
| Range | Southern Chile and Argentina, near Cape Horn | Chile only |
| Habitat preference | Rocky coastlines and channels | Shallow bays, fjords, and river mouths |
| Notable behaviour | Rides the bow waves of boats | Not documented as bow-riding |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Population trend | Stable | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Coastal, ocean | Coastal |
Peale's Dolphin vs Chilean Dolphin: common questions
Which one is smaller?
The Chilean dolphin is smaller, one of the smallest dolphin species in the world, more compact than Peale's dolphin.
Which one is found in only one country?
The Chilean dolphin is found only in Chile, entirely endemic to that one country, unlike Peale's dolphin, which ranges across both southern Chile and Argentina.
Which one rides the bow waves of boats?
Peale's dolphin does this, often observed riding the bow waves generated by passing boats, a behaviour not documented for the more sheltered-water Chilean dolphin.