k at Marineland of Florida. The highly
distinctive crisscross or hourglass pattern of tan or yellowish tan on
the sides is clearly visible. Note also the light tip of the snout and
the dark line from the center of the lower jaw to the flipper. This last
characteristic readily distinguishes the saddleback dolphin from the
striped dolphin, in which the black stripe begins at the corner of the
mouth rather than near the center of the lower jaw. (_Photos courtesy of
Marineland of Florida._)]

[Illustration: Figure 131.--Saddleback dolphins on the bow of a ship off
Massachusetts in 1966. The color pattern, including the dark
brownish-gray back, the crisscross pattern on the sides, and the white
belly, are clearly visible. The light tip of the snout helps distinguish
this species from the spinner dolphins, which have a black-tipped snout.
(_Photo by E. Wheeler._)]

[Illustration: Figure 132.--The distinctive crisscross pattern of the
sides of the saddleback dolphins is clearly visible even when
comparatively little of the animal is seen. Note the falcate dorsal fin,
which often, as here, is dark on the border, lighter near the center.
(_Photo by R. K. Brigham, courtesy of National Marine Fisheries
Service._)]

[Illustration: Figure 134.--A saddleback dolphin stranded on Westerly
Beach, R.I. The origin of the common name "crisscross dolphin" is
evident in the color pattern of the side. Note also the distinctive
black stripe from the center of the lower jaw to the origin of the
flipper. (_Photo courtesy of H. E. Winn._)]

[Illustration: Figure 133.--Saddleback dolphins frequently jump clear of
the water and may reenter in a variety of ways: 1) smoothly, head first;
2) with a chin slap; 3) with an accompanying tail lob; or 4) on the
sides or back with a splash. This habit enables them to be spotted from
a considerable distance. When stressed, herds bunch tightly together,
like the group in the bottom photo. (_Photos from off Virginia by J. G.
Mead (top) and off San Diego, Calif. by S. Leatherwood (bottom)._)]

FRASER'S DOLPHIN (T)

_Lagenodelphis hosei_ Fraser 1956

Other Common Names

Sarawak dolphin, Bornean dolphin, Fraser's porpoise.

Description

Fraser's dolphins reach an overall length of at least 8 feet (2.4 m).
They are extremely short-beaked and have a pronounced dark stripe,
similar to that found on the striped dolphin, extending from the rostrum
to the area of the anus. They are robust in build