The Hourglass Dolphin is coloured black and white
and for this reason was colloquially known by whalers
as the "sea cow". On each flank there is a white patch
at the front of the dolphin, above the beak, eye and flipper,
and a second patch at the rear. These two patches are connected
by a thin strip of white, creating, loosely speaking, an
hourglass shape and hence the common name of the dolphin.
The scientific name cruciger is Latin for "cross-carrier".
This refers to the area of black colouration on the body, which,
viewed from above, vaguely resembles a Maltese cross or cross pattée.

Facts