Mason Blake
Puget Sound, a body of water in Washington State, is home to a variety of cetacean species, including porpoises and dolphins. In the past, the only small cetaceans in the area were Dall's porpoises, but in recent years, there has been a resurgence of harbor porpoises, and sightings of several dolphin species have increased. Long-beaked common dolphins, a subtropical species, have also been spotted in the area, attracting the attention of researchers and locals alike. With their playful nature and graceful movements, these dolphins captivate and intrigue those who encounter them, contributing to the rich biodiversity of Puget Sound.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dolphin species in Puget Sound | Long-beaked common dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins |
| Porpoise species in Puget Sound | Harbor porpoise, Dall's porpoise |
| Other cetaceans in Puget Sound | Bryde's whales |
| Dolphin behaviour | Dolphins are social, acrobatic, and playful. They form pods of 25 to 100 individuals, occasionally forming super pods. They are faster and more active swimmers than porpoises. |
| Porpoise behaviour | Porpoises are shy and reserved. They are less social and boisterous than dolphins, grouping in small pods of 2 to 5 individuals to 12 individuals. They are slower and less acrobatic than dolphins. |
| Dolphin diet | Dolphins are opportunistic feeders, eating a variety of prey, including small schooling fish such as anchovies, herring, sardines, and mackerel. |
| Porpoise diet | Porpoises eat schooling fish such as herring, mackerel, squid, and octopus. |
| Dolphin appearance | Dolphins are long, lean, and streamlined with extended noses. They have a wide range of colours, including brown, gray, silvery blue, white, and pink. They have conical, pointed teeth and curved dorsal fins. |
| Porpoise appearance | Porpoises are shorter and stockier with blunt noses. They are typically monochrome in shades of black, white, and gray. They have spade-shaped teeth and upright dorsal fins. |
| Dolphin protection | Dolphins are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. |
| Porpoise protection | Porpoises are also protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. |
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What You'll Learn
Long-beaked common dolphins are an unusual presence in Puget Sound
The long-beaked common dolphin is a species of dolphin typically found within 50 nautical miles of the coast, from Baja California to about central California. They can be distinguished by their distinct black cape, which extends into a saddle below their dorsal fin, their light underbelly, and a distinct dark eye-to-pectoral fin stripe. They weigh up to 500 lbs and average 6-8.5 feet in length. They can be differentiated from the two species of porpoises commonly found in Puget Sound—the harbor porpoise and Dall's porpoise—by their morphology, pigmentation, shape, and behavior. Long-beaked common dolphins are more likely to leap out of the water and play in the wake of a boat than the local porpoise species.
The harbor porpoise was considered the most common cetacean in the inner marine waters of Washington state, including Puget Sound, in the 1940s. However, by the 1970s, they had disappeared from the Sound due to interactions with fisheries and pollution. Harbor porpoises made a comeback to Puget Sound around 2000, with regular sightings in southern Puget Sound starting in 2008.
In addition to the long-beaked common dolphin and harbor porpoise, there have been sightings of other dolphin species in Puget Sound. Pacific white-sided dolphins, for example, are occasionally found in the Straits of Juan de Fuca and very rarely in Puget Sound. They are highly social and playful animals, often associating with other species, including resident killer whales, Steller sea lions, and humpback whales. They are distinguished by their black backs, flukes, and lips, light/grey stripes along their sides, and large, curved dorsal fins.
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Pacific white-sided dolphins are rarely seen in Puget Sound
Pacific white-sided dolphins are graceful and beautifully marked. They are commonly found along the outer coast of Washington in the North Pacific and off the west coast of the United States. They are occasionally found in the Straits of Juan de Fuca and are rarely seen in central and south Puget Sound. They are highly social and playful, and they have been seen associating with other species. They are often very energetic and acrobatic. They have a unique coloration, with a light/grey stripe along their sides extending from the eyes to the tail. Their backs, flukes, and lips are black. They have a large, curved dorsal fin compared to their overall body size and are sometimes referred to as "hookfin porpoises". Their pectoral fins are also highly curved, which is unusual for dolphins.
Pacific white-sided dolphins are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but they are not listed as threatened or endangered. In the United States, there are three distinct stocks: two off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California, with a population of around 21,000 as of 2014, and one North Pacific stock off the coast of Alaska with an unknown population. The primary threat to Pacific white-sided dolphins is drift and gill net entanglement, with an estimated 90,000 dolphins caught in fishery nets between 1978 and 1990, mainly in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. They are also preyed upon by transient killer whales and occasionally by large sharks.
Pacific white-sided dolphins are known to associate with other species, including resident killer whales, Steller sea lions, Dall's porpoises, humpback whales, northern right whale dolphins, Risso's dolphins, common dolphins, and short-finned pilot whales. They typically travel in groups ranging from 10 to 100 individuals, with groups of 100-200 dolphins increasingly seen in the Strait of Georgia. The largest group of Pacific white-sided dolphins reported traveling together was around 6,000 individuals. They are opportunistic feeders and have been known to feed on over 60 species of fish, particularly small schooling fish such as anchovies, herring, sardines, and mackerel.
Sightings of Pacific white-sided dolphins in Puget Sound are rare, and there have been no dedicated studies on their presence in the area. Most of what we know about them in Puget Sound comes from opportunistic observations. They are more commonly found in the colder offshore waters of the North Pacific and occasionally in the inshore waters of the Salish Sea, which includes the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Georgia Strait. The seasonality of their appearance in inshore waters has been somewhat controversial, but most reports mention fall as a peak season. When they are observed in Puget Sound, it is usually just single dolphins or pairs that are seen, and stranding records in the area are uncommon.
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Harbor porpoises returned to Puget Sound in the early 2000s
Harbor porpoises were once common in the inner marine waters of Washington State, including Puget Sound, in the 1940s. However, by the 1970s, they had disappeared from the Sound, with their numbers also declining in nearby waters. This decline was due to various factors, including interactions with fisheries and pollution.
In the early 2000s, harbor porpoises made a comeback to Puget Sound. The return was monitored by several organizations, including the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Regular sightings in southern Puget Sound began in 2008, with reports of harbor porpoises swimming, feeding, and approaching boats.
The harbor porpoise is a relatively solitary animal, often seen alone or in small groups. They are found in coastal waters, including bays and estuaries, and keep a low profile in the water, swimming without creating splashes. Harbor porpoises have a dark gray, rounded head and a dark gray topside, which gradually lightens along the front half of their body. They feed on schooling fish like herring and mackerel and can also eat squid and octopus.
The return of harbor porpoises to Puget Sound is a positive sign, indicating that efforts to reduce the impact of threats like pollution and fisheries have been successful. These marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits harassment, chasing, or interference.
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Dall's porpoises are gregarious and socialise with dolphins
The Puget Sound, a long inlet of the Pacific Ocean in Washington, is home to a variety of cetacean species, including porpoises and dolphins. While porpoises and dolphins share similarities, they are distinct species with key differences. Porpoises are shorter and stockier with blunt noses, while dolphins have a leaner, more streamlined body and an extended nose. Porpoises also have spade-shaped teeth and upright dorsal fins, whereas dolphins have cone-shaped teeth and curved dorsal fins.
Among the porpoise species found in the Puget Sound, Dall's porpoises are particularly gregarious and known for their social behaviour. They typically live in small pods of 2 to 12 individuals but have been observed interacting with dolphins and even larger baleen whales. Dall's porpoises are not as reserved as some other porpoise species, such as the harbour porpoise, which is usually solitary or found in small groups. The harbour porpoise was once the most common cetacean in the Puget Sound but suffered a decline due to interactions with fisheries and pollution. Conservation efforts have led to their gradual comeback in recent decades.
Dall's porpoises exhibit playful behaviour and are known to bow ride alongside boats, showcasing their gregarious nature. They are often seen in the company of dolphins, including Pacific white-sided dolphins, which are occasional visitors to the inland waters of the Puget Sound. These dolphins are highly social and acrobatic, with distinctive markings and a unique light/grey stripe along their sides. They are known to associate with other species such as resident killer whales and Steller sea lions, in addition to Dall's porpoises.
The social behaviour of Dall's porpoises extends beyond dolphins and porpoises, as they have also been observed interacting with larger baleen whales. This includes humpback whales, with which they share the waters of the Puget Sound. The presence of these diverse cetacean species in the region offers a fascinating insight into their social dynamics and ecological relationships.
While Dall's porpoises are known to socialise with dolphins, they are distinct species with unique characteristics. Dall's porpoises are smaller and stockier with blunt noses, while dolphins, such as the long-beaked common dolphins seen in the Puget Sound, have longer, leaner bodies. The social behaviour of Dall's porpoises towards dolphins highlights their adaptability and curiosity, contributing to our understanding of their behaviour in the wild.
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Striped dolphins are widespread and prefer deep water
Puget Sound has been home to several dolphin species, including the long-beaked common dolphin, the Pacific white-sided dolphin, and the bottlenose dolphin. While striped dolphins have not been mentioned in the context of Puget Sound, they are among the most abundant and widespread dolphins globally.
Striped dolphins are found in deep tropical to warm temperate oceanic waters, typically ranging from 52 to 84° F (11 to 29° C). They are particularly attracted to upwelling areas, where deep, cold, nutrient-rich waters rise towards the surface, and convergence zones, where ocean currents meet. These dolphins usually form tight-knit groups of about 25 to 100 individuals and are known for their energetic behaviour, including breaching, jumping, and leaping over 20 feet above the water's surface.
The distinctive feature of striped dolphins is their striking coloration pattern, which includes vivid, thin stripes extending from the eye to the flipper and another set of stripes running down the body to the anal region. This unique pattern gives them their common name and sets them apart from other cetacean species. Male striped dolphins can reach lengths of about 9 feet and weigh up to 350 pounds, while females are slightly smaller, reaching up to 8 feet and weighing around 330 pounds.
Striped dolphins are widespread and have a global presence. They can be found in the waters off Greenland, northern Europe (including the United Kingdom and Denmark), the Mediterranean Sea, Japan, Argentina, South Africa, western Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, striped dolphins are commonly found off the west coast, in the northwestern Atlantic, and in the Gulf of Mexico. They are also present in the waters off Hawaii but are not found in the colder waters of Alaska. Additionally, they have been documented outside their typical range in areas such as southern Greenland, the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, and Canada's Prince Edward Island.
The preference for deep waters is a common trait among various dolphin species. For example, Fraser's dolphins are found in deep tropical waters worldwide, and the Clymene dolphin inhabits the deep tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The Pacific white-sided dolphin, while not frequently seen in central and southern Puget Sound, is another species that favours deep waters. They are usually found along the coast and the upper reaches of the Salish Sea.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are dolphins in Puget Sound.
The dolphin species found in Puget Sound include the long-beaked common dolphin, Pacific white-sided dolphin, and bottlenose dolphin.
Yes, there are other cetaceans in Puget Sound, including the harbor porpoise and Dall's porpoise.
The seasonality of dolphin appearances in Puget Sound varies. Some reports mention fall as the peak season, while others suggest summer and fall.
Yes, dolphins in Puget Sound face threats such as drift and gill net entanglements, boat strikes, and chronic issues like pollution. They are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
