humpback dolphin

noun

plural humpback dolphins

: any of a genus (Sousa) of dolphins that have a prominent hump midway down the back topped by a small dorsal fin and that are found in warm coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic, western Pacific, and Indian oceans

Humpback dolphins have long been recognized as vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts because of their small population sizes, slow life history and rapidly increasing pressure from human settlement …

—Guido J. Parra and Daniele Cagnazzi

Atlantic humpback dolphins, with distinctive humps on their backs topped by rounded dorsal fins, live exclusively in relatively shallow waters and are most common in estuarine environments close to shore.

—Marjorie Fishman et al.

Living close to coasts and rivers, the Australian humpback dolphin is susceptible to pollution as well as shark and fishing nets.

—Philippe Coquerand

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above