The Rare Dolphin of the Arctic

Many people have heard of the sea mammal, commonly referred to as the “sea cow” (manatees are also sometimes referred to as such), but, in the minds of most, a depiction of an underwater cow with gills is blowing bubbles into the infinite abyss. The actual sea cow, however, less commonly known as the Cruciger Dolphin, does not moo. It also looks very little like a cow, with an exception for its black and white color. The white area forms a shape similar to an hourglass on the dolphin’s sides, hence it’s more common formal name, the Hourglass Dolphin.

The Cruciger Dolphin is native to the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters. The name Cruciger is Latin for “cross-carrier” and is given to this dolphin for the hourglass-like design on its body, which loosely resembles a Maltese cross. This particular dolphin is rarely seen and, therefore, has very low sighting statistics. By the 1960s, only three of the Cruciger Dolphins had been reported to scientists. Likewise, to this day, the Cruciger Dolphin has had only six complete and fourteen partial specimen examined.

Be one of the lucky few to see one of these creatures of the deep, and capture this rare specimen for your stamp collection. Order your Crucigere Dolphins stamp, today!