Rare New Species Discovered Dubbed Worlds Ugliest Dolphin
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First ever rare footage has been captured of what has been dubbed the world’s ugliest dolphin for a breakthrough discovery of a recently reclassified mammal now known as the snub fin dolphin. The creature has a distinctive bulbous head, and unique to the waters near Australia.
Initially thought to be the Irrawaddy dolphin that’s been in serious decline due to human activities, the snub fin is the most recent dolphin species to be reclassified under a different taxonomic name, and the first new species for this creature to have been discovered in 50 years.
Also nicknamed “Snubbies” for their blunt dorsal fin and rounded snout, scientists know very little about these mammals.
The unusual dolphin was first spotted 3 years ago off the remote Kimberly coast in Western Australia in 2005.
Wildlife experts had struggled to track down the dolphin, as snub fins aren’t used to humans and are easily scared away, but fortune struck on Sunday when a research team stumbled upon dozens of the dolphins.
“Over the last couple days we’ve had fantastic weather and feeding activity and the right tide so it’s some of the best sightings we’ve had up here so far.” dolphin researcher Deb Thiele told an Australian TV station.
The research team said the sighting is the best yet as the dolphins were playful and poked their heads above water, as opposed to other sightings where they tended to stay underwater.
This new mysterious species have also been spotted off the Northern territory and in Queensland.
Key details about the dolphin have only now been captured when the research team used a skin sampling dart gun to collect a DNA sample from the dolphins for genetic examination which will allow new insights into the animal with a wealth of information.
“It may be the world’s ugliest dolphin — some people have said that.” said Tammie Matson, from the World Wildlife Fund.
“But I am just absolutely blown away by this creature. They are absolutely endearing.”
“There’s almost nothing known about this species. We are literally starting from scratch.” she added.
Conservationists say despite the dolphin’s odd appearance it’s a magnificent creature.
Dolphins inhabiting river and coastal waters are among the most threatened species of mammals on the planet.
Snub Nose Dolphin Caught on Film
Related stories:
Rare River Baiji Dolphin Now Extinct
New Hope for Baiji Dolphin Reported Extinct
Pink Dolphins near Extinction
Wow I had never seen these dolphins before. They are unusual looking but I don’t find them so ugly
It’s a nice find since I was quite sad when the Baiji dolphins went extinct.
Good to see a fellow Canadian site! I used to live in Edmonton have now located myself down in California.
I think they are cute too. Poor dolphins. I hope they don’t run out and get a nose job.
The world is such an amazing place! Too bad that the images are not very sharp, Deborah.
I think the dolphins are really cute. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… who says that they need a “classic” dolphin face to be regarded as beautiful?
these dolphins look really funny with their big nose, and I’ve never seen such dolphins before. but I like dolphins, they’re cute animals.
Nature is always awesome. I find every kind of creature beautiful…well except of some kind of spiders…ggggh
Are you sure this isn’t some sort of hoax? If not, truly amazing.
those things are pretty crazy. i dont think they are that ugly though
Hey I think they are kinda cute!! Its surprising that we don’t discover more species like this on a monthly basis. The oceans are so big, and we really have no idea what is going on in most of them.
These dolphins look crazy! I have never heard of them before. Very cool.
Hi Deb, I commented on your post “Dog Meat in Beijing Ordered Off Menu for Olympics” and found this post while browsing your blog.
I’m glad I was able to visit your site 2 days after posting this interesting stuff. Now I have something to share that is fresh and extraordinary to my colleagues. I’m curious as to what do you think the dolphin will feel if they’ll know that they are called the world’s ugliest dolphin. I don’t think they are ugly though, it’s just that they are different.
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I don’t find them ugly either, Pokin, they’re actually very interesting creatures. Nice to see a fellow Edmontonian. You’ll be a lot warmer than I will come winter
California sounds like an excellent choice, very beautiful countryside.
Haha, cute, Tomboys
Exactly, Mig. Dolphins are typically highly intelligent creatures, and very gentle. Unfortunately there were no images available, I had to take them from the video.
I’m with you Dolph, and there are definitely some exceptions to that
I find it rather an unfair description myself Cohnsey.
You would be surprised how many new species of creatures are still being discovered to this day, Benjamin.
They are indeed cool, Andrew
Hi Faith. I highly doubt that they would ever have any awareness that they’ve been dubbed as the ugliest dolphin
They are definitely different, but that certainly doesn’t distract from their beauty.
They’re awesome creatures! Unfortunately the climate gonna hurt them in the very near future. you can halp our earth stop using those killer cars
It’s amazing how we continue to discover new things everyday, and yet there are thousands – if not millions – of things we haven’t discovered yet.
Couldnt it be just a deformed dolphin. you know like it has a birth defect.
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No Knog, it’s unlikely that they’re a deformity, considering the number of them that have been spotted over the past several years. It’s just that they have never been captured on film to share with the world up to now.
these r nice animals but why they r named ugly??
Hi Deborah!It’s me damsel. I was fascinated with this post on dolphins. They were such lovely creatures. For me, they are not ugly but adorable. We once spotted many of them in the sea way back when I was in a boat going to an island(Camiguin,Philippines), they were lovely and some swim in pairs. How I wish to see them in my next travel.
I am offended that someone felt the need to label these dolphins as “ugly.” I’d like to take a good look at the person who came up with that idea. I bet I would have a few comments to add about his/her appearance. (I know, I know, that would be stooping to their level. But you know what I’m trying to say.)
I love that we are constantly reminded that we, as humans, are NOT the center of the universe and that after all of this time we are still discovering new species that share our planet.
Now, if we could only learn to respect the other species, I’d truly be happy. =)
Because of their unusual head, Jimmy, but I find beauty in their uniqueness.
Hi Damsel, I’m with you 100%. You seriously saw these types of dolphins in person? What an amazing experience
Some people can be rather cruel, Uptake. What a perfect world it would be if mankind had a large respect for all creatures.
There is no such thing as ugly dolphin, and that’s all!
awwww i love the uggly dolpins!!!!=D they look soo awsome!!
Wow! I’m amazed! After all they are not that ugly, they are just…different
Definitely, I agree