DOLPHINS OF A DIFFERENT COLOUR • Cephalorhynchus heavisidii • the Haviside’s dolphin who lost his dorsal overlay •

Just like the short-beaked common dolphins, one Haviside from Namibia seems to have lost his dorsal overlay. As a result he still has his dark cape, but the grey base is missing from the rest of his body. Some dark patches remain around his eyes and on his chin, but other than that he is a very light off-white. However some grey lining still persists around the truly white belly markings, allowing them to stand out. Interestingly, unlike the ‘clean’ common dolphins, the remaining colouration is blotchy and spotty, especially around the edges. This is a feature that shows up more often on dolphins missing part of their colouration pattern.

– Watercolour on hot-pressed paper, 14.8 x 21 cm (original available).