Head to head
Peale's Dolphin vs Commerson's Dolphin
Peale's Dolphin
VS Commerson's Dolphin
Both small dolphins share the cold coastal waters near Cape Horn, but their colouring and notable behaviours set them apart.
| Peale's Dolphin | Commerson's Dolphin | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Lagenorhynchus australis | Cephalorhynchus commersonii |
| Colouring | A muted grey, black, and white pattern | A bold black-and-white pattern, nicknamed skunk dolphin |
| Notable behaviour | Rides the bow waves of boats | Surface acrobatics including leaps and rolls |
| Range | Southern Chile and Argentina, near Cape Horn | Southern tip of South America, plus a Kerguelen population |
| Dorsal fin | Not documented as small and rounded | A small, rounded dorsal fin |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Coastal, ocean | Coastal, ocean |
Peale's Dolphin vs Commerson's Dolphin: common questions
Which one has the bolder colour pattern?
Commerson's dolphin has the bolder pattern, a striking black-and-white colouring that earned it the nickname skunk dolphin, unlike Peale's dolphin's more muted grey, black, and white markings.
Which one is known for surface acrobatics?
Commerson's dolphin is known for this, frequently observed performing leaps and rolls at the surface, while Peale's dolphin instead is more notable for riding the bow waves of boats.
Which one has a population near the Kerguelen Islands?
Commerson's dolphin has this separate population, isolated near the Kerguelen Islands in the southern Indian Ocean, far from its main South American range where Peale's dolphin is also found.