Mammals Active day and night

Australian Humpback Dolphin

Sousa sahulensis

iNaturalist Wikipedia

An elusive coastal icon, the Australian humpback dolphin is a master of the shallows, recognized by its unique dorsal hump and shy, mysterious nature.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Adults measure 2.5 to 2.8 metres (8.2 to 9.2 feet) and weigh between 230 and 280 kilograms (500 to 620 pounds).

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Colors

Typically slate-gray to dark gray on the back and sides, fading to a lighter gray or off-white on the belly. Some adults develop white mottling or scarring on the dorsal fin.

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Key Features

Distinctive fatty hump below the dorsal fin
Long, slender rostrum (beak) unlike the snubfin dolphin
Small, slightly hooked (falcate) dorsal fin situated on the hump
Broad flukes with a distinct median notch

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active day and night

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Peak hours Variable, but often most active during rising tides or dawn and dusk

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Season Year-round, with sightings most frequent during calm weather in winter (May-August)

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Diet Opportunistic carnivores that hunt coastal and estuarine fish like mullet, bream, and flathead, as well as cephalopods like squid.

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Habitat Shallow tropical and subtropical coastal waters, river mouths, estuaries, and occasionally around offshore islands or coral reefs.

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Where Does the Australian Humpback Dolphin Live?

The Australian humpback dolphin is native to the Sahul Shelf region, primarily found along the northern half of the Australian continent. Its range extends from the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, across the Top End of the Northern Territory, and down the Queensland coast to the New South Wales border. It is also found in the coastal waters of southern New Guinea and parts of the Indonesian archipelago, staying strictly within the shallow waters of the continental shelf.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

3 Countries

1.2M km² Range

Vulnerable Conservation

AU Australia Papua New Guinea ID Indonesia

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Australian humpback dolphin is known for being more elusive and shy compared to the more gregarious bottlenose dolphin. They typically travel in small, tight-knit pods of 5 to 10 individuals, though they occasionally form larger groups for feeding or socializing. Unlike many other dolphins, they rarely engage in bow-riding with vessels and tend to maintain a respectful distance from human activity.

These dolphins exhibit a unique surfacing pattern where the long beak emerges first, followed by the distinctive hump and then the small dorsal fin. Their social structure is complex, often involving 'fission-fusion' societies where group composition changes frequently throughout the day. They are highly vocal, using a series of clicks, whistles, and burst-pulses for navigation and communication in the often-murky coastal waters.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Australian humpback dolphin on a shore-based camera requires strategic placement near river mouths or narrow estuarine channels where the dolphins are forced to pass closer to land. Because these dolphins are 'low-profile' surfers, mount your camera at a height of at least 2 to 3 metres above the high-tide mark to get a better downward angle into the water. This helps the AI distinguish the dolphin's hump from wave chop.

Using a circular polarizing filter is essential for reducing water surface glare, which can otherwise blind your camera's sensor during the bright midday sun. If your camera supports it, set the shutter speed to at least 1/1000th of a second to freeze the action of a dorsal fin or a tail slap. Since these dolphins are shy, avoid using any bright artificial lights at night; instead, rely on high-sensitivity sensors or thermal triggers if your equipment allows.

Timing is everything with this species. Program your camera to be most active during the flood tide (incoming tide), as the dolphins often follow schools of baitfish into estuaries during this window. Look for 'choke points' like sandbar gaps or rocky outcrops where the water is at least 2 metres deep. Unlike trail cameras for land animals, motion detection can be tricky over moving water, so using a 'time-lapse' mode with short intervals (1-5 seconds) during peak tidal windows is often the most effective strategy.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Australian Humpback Dolphin.

Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

Lacks the fatty hump below the fin and has a shorter, stouter beak and a larger, more hooked dorsal fin.

Australian Snubfin Dolphin

Has a very blunt, rounded head with no visible beak and a much smaller, nub-like dorsal fin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Australian humpback dolphins are active both day and night, but their movements are heavily influenced by the tide rather than the sun. They are often most visible and active during high or rising tides when they move into estuaries to hunt.

You cannot ethically 'attract' dolphins with food, as this is illegal and harmful. However, maintaining a healthy coastal ecosystem by preserving mangroves and reducing runoff will naturally support the fish populations they hunt, making your area a more likely stop for a passing pod.

Their diet consists of a variety of estuarine and coastal fish such as mullet, tailor, and bream. They are also known to eat cephalopods like squid and cuttlefish when available in the shallows.

They can be found near coastal towns and cities in Northern Australia, particularly in places like Moreton Bay or the Gladstone region, but they are far less common and more shy than the ubiquitous bottlenose dolphin.

Look for the hump! The Australian humpback dolphin has a clear, fatty 'peduncle' or hump underneath its dorsal fin, whereas the bottlenose dolphin has a smooth back and a much larger, more curved dorsal fin.

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