Are Hector Dolphins Friendly?

Hector's dolphins spend their day between feeding and play. They love to surf on waves, play with seaweed, and are incredibly friendly and inquisitive creatures, which explains why they like to get up close to boats - sometimes we wonder who is looking at who!

Are Hector dolphins rare?

Facts. Hector's dolphins are the smallest and rarest marine dolphins in the world. ... There is a subspecies of Hector's dolphin known as Maui's dolphin that is critically endangered and estimated to have a population of only 55.

What do Hector's dolphins do?

Hector's dolphins hold the record for being the rarest and smallest marine dolphin in the world. Known as 'mickey mouse dolphins' (because of their dorsal fins) and 'hobbit dolphins' (because of their size), they live solely in New Zealand's coastal waters and are enthusiastic surfers and bow-riders.