Skip to content
Maui’s Dolphin – the smallest dolphin in the world
- A sub-species of the very small Hector’s Dolphin
- They only live in New Zealand’s shallow coastal waters
- This little species is at risk of becoming extinct
- Approximately only 55 individuals left in the wild
- Fully grown the Maui’s dolphin is between 1.2-1.4m long
- Adults weigh approximately 50kg
- The lifespan of the Maui’s dolphin is around 20 years
- Calves are 50-60cm in length when born; large compared to their mother
- Grey/black colouration, with white stripes along their sides, and a white underside
- Only one single calf is born every 2-4 years; this means they are struggling to increase in number naturally, let alone after human poaching
- Most of its time is spent feeding; however there is always time to play with seaweed, chase other dolphins, blow bubbles, and jump
Dwarf Sperm Whale – the smallest whale in the world
- A sub-species of the Sperm Whale
- They are blue-grey in colour, with a lighter underside
- The Dwarf Sperm Whale is a protected species, although they are not considered under threat
- They prefer warm tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters
- Females can have a single calf each year
- Calves are born measuring 1.0-1.2m in length
- Fully grown, this whale reaches up to 2.7m in length
- Adults weigh approximately 180-270kg
- Their lifespan of the is around 22-25 years
- Typically a solitary species, however can be found travelling in small pods (groups)
- Fishing nets and marine debris are the biggest human threats to this species