TIL - There is such a thing as a Right Whale Dolphin and they don't have a dorsal fin (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by pelespirit@sh.itjust.works to c/til@lemmy.ca

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https://animalia-life.club/qa/pictures/southern-right-whale-dolphin

Conspicuously, neither species has a dorsal fin; nor do right whales and this may explain the dolphins' name.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_whale_dolphin

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[-] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Any idea why they’re called a right whale dolphin? I’m familiar with the origin of the name right whale but I’m wondering if they have some association.

[-] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 month ago

I thought I linked to the wikipedia page, but I guess I didn't. I'll fix it. Apparently, they're not sure:

Conspicuously, neither species has a dorsal fin; nor do right whales and this may explain the dolphins' name.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_whale_dolphin

[-] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

Thanks! I read the Wikipedia page briefly but missed that part.

[-] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago

Np. I've seen drawn pics of these and thought they didn't get the drawing right for years. We all miss stuff, lol.

this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2025

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