In 1857, British naturalist Jonathan Couch recorded an unusual dolphin sighting made earlier that year on the coast of Lantivet Bay in Cornwall, England[1]. The observers were watching a pod of about 12 Common Dolphins, but among them were a pair of dolphins that each appeared to have two dorsal fins – one typical fin in the middle of the back, and then an additional fin about 2 feet behind it towards the tail. The two-finned dolphins were similar in color to the Common Dolphins with long snouts, but their bodies were more slender.
Sighting[]
In the month of April of the present year (1857), a close and accurate observer of nature, in company with some friends, had an opportunity of observing a company of dolphins at play, at a very short distance from him, with the water so clear, that the projecting snout was easily seen, and all actions closely traced. Being elevated on a rock above them, an individual was made out, which without difficulty was distinguished from the others by the remarkable character of having two dorsal fins. It was the belief of the observers that there was a pair of these two finned Dolphins in the herd; but one of them was especially the object of their attention: the snout of the Dolphin distinctly visible; length of the body from 6 to 8 feet; the shape more slender than in the Common Dolphins, of which about a dozen were in the company; the colour much as in the ordinary species; and as it repeatedly came to the surface, it was noticed that the first dorsal fin was at about the middle of the length, and the other 2 feet nearer the tail. Its motions were like those of the other Cetaceans that were then amusing themselves at their leisure near the rocks in Lantivet Bay, but they appeared a little more active. There is no reason to suppose that this species has ever been taken; but, should it fall into the hands of a fisherman, it is important to science that it should be examined by some competent naturalist, as there can be no doubt it will show some other peculiarities besides that of having two dorsal fins. - Jonathan Couch, 1857
The sighting is mentioned briefly by John Edward Gray in 1866[2], Frank E. Beddard in 1900[3] and Raynal and Sylvestre in 1991[4].
Similar sightings[]
Many cryptid cetaceans have been described with two dorsal fins, including Mongitore’s Whale, Giglioli’s Whale and the Rhinoceros Dolphin, although all of these sightings have described very different species.
While similarly described as a dolphin, the Rhinoceros Dolphin differs significantly from the Cornish Two-Finned Dolphin in several ways – the Rhinoceros Dolphin was spotted in the open ocean in the South Pacific, it was larger (10ft), was described as black with white spots and its additional fin was placed close to its head.
References[]
- ↑ Jonathan Couch. "Remarks on the species of whales which have been observed on the coasts of Cornwall" p.434. 1857
- ↑ John Edward Gray. “Catalogue of seals and whales in the British Museum” p. 267. 1866
- ↑ Frank E. Beddard. “A Book of Whales” p.15. 1900
- ↑ Raynal and Sylvestre. “Cetaceans with two dorsal fins” p.33. 1991