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| Distribution |
Accidental in NC. Known only from a recent stranding in Carteret County.
A North Atlantic species, found west to Labrador and south to New England; occurs mainly over the Continental Shelf. |
| Abundance |
Though numerous and often common in the North Atlantic, with a range not dissimilar to that of the related Atlantic White-sided Dolphin, the White-beaked Dolphin does not occur or stray as far south -- especially as there are at least 10 strandings of Atlantic White-sided Dolphins in NC. Must be considered as an accidental stray in the state, though to be looked for in cold offshore waters in the winter or spring seasons. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
The single state record is from the surprisingly late date (in winter/spring) of 16 April 2015. |
| Habitat |
Cold or cool waters, primarily found over the Continental Shelf in its North Atlantic range. |
| Behavior |
Known to frequently bow-ride and do acrobatic leaps, though a chunkier species than Atlantic White-sided Dolphin and thus not as acrobatic as that species. Typically occurs in groups of 5-30 individuals. |
| Comments |
Keith Rittmaster found the live male White-beaked Dolphin on Sand Dollar Island, between Carrot Island and Shackleford Banks, within Back Sound, in 2015. It was euthanized and is now a museum specimen (MME 18714). Details of this remarkable record are found in: Hairr, J. (2016). White-beaked dolphin found near Beaufort - a species heretofore undocumented from the shores of North Carolina. The Maritimes 5(2): 12-13. |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
SAM |
| State Status |
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| Global Rank |
G4 |
| Federal Status |
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| subspecies |
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| synonym |
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