Hourglass Dolphin vs Ray

Lagenorhynchus cruciger compared with Sympterygia bonapartii

Key Differences

• Hourglass Dolphin is Least Concern while Ray is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Hourglass Dolphin	Ray
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Elasmobranchii
Order	Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)	Rajiformes (Rajiformes)
Family	Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)	Arhynchobatidae
Genus	Lagenorhynchus	Sympterygia
Species	Lagenorhynchus cruciger	Sympterygia bonapartii

Evolutionary Relationship

Hourglass Dolphin and Ray share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Hourglass Dolphin

LC — Least Concern

Ray

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Hourglass Dolphin	Ray
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Hourglass Dolphin

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Ray

Habitat

Native to South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found in Chile. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.