While the more popular cetacean species exist in most parts of the world, there exist many that are confined to their own little corner of the ocean, such as the North Pacific white-sided dolphin (Sagmatias obliquidens). These dolphins exist across the entire span of the North Pacific. Historically, Pacific-white-sided dolphins were classified under the Lagenorhynchus genus, with the white-beaked dolphin (L. albirostris) and several other species. However, molecular data eventually led to the reclassification of most of the ”Lags” into the new genus, Sagmatias. This species’ closest relatives are the Dusky dolphin (S.obscurus) , Peale’s dolphin (S.australis), and Hourglass dolphin (S.cruciger). Pacific white-sided dolphins range from 1.7-2.5 meters in length and 90-198 kilograms as adults. This species’ behavior and leaping ability made them attractive for the cetacean captivity industry. Estimates for the global populations are bare, but are suspected to be around 1 million. A few countries used to regularly hunt this species, with only Japan continuing in current years from the Taiji drive. Pacific white-sided dolphins mainly feed on capelin, herring, squid, and sardines. Mammal-eating killer whales are their primary predator and large sharks are likely a threat.
The Pacific white-sided dolphin makes another round this year, but this time through the Monterey Bay Aquarium collection. This dolphin was one of the latest figures to be added to this series, along with the narwhal, bigeye thresher and giant squid. With myself having mixed feelings about the CollectA figure, it is time to see how the MBA collection compares.
The MBA Pacific white-sided dolphin is 11 cm long, scaling to an average-sized adult of 2.2 meters at the intended 1:20 scale. This is the smallest cetacean figure within the MBA line besides the calves for the killer whale and bottlenose dolphin. In comparison to the CollectA version, the MBA dolphin is both shorter and proportionally leaner.
The sculpt is pretty good and I think it meets the expectations that the MBA collection usually sets. The dolphin does feel a bit simpler compared to the other adult cetaceans in the series, but that’s mainly due to them all being much larger figures. In terms of detail, it still compares well to similarly-sized MBA calves. The overall anatomy falls in line, however, the pectoral fins have been overly-simplified. The Pacific white-sided dolphin’s pectoral fin, like on most dolphins, tapers before it attaches to the body. Here, the flippers are a basic triangle. The CollectA figure avoids this mistake.
On the ventral end, there’s a genital slit and anus, which is absent on the CollectA figure. The lack of mammaries identifies this figure as anatomically male. This makes the Pacific white-sided dolphin and the narwhal the only two male adult cetaceans in the MBA collection.
The paintjob was where the CollectA figure truly dropped the ball. Fortunately, this was handled very well for the MBA version. There’s a good deal of heterogeneity in the coloration patterns for the Pacific white-sided dolphin. Nonetheless Safari Ltd. apparently settled on the more archetypal scheme for this species. Everything seems both accurate and visually-pleasing with an even balancing of both the dark and light tones. My only nitpick is that some of the boundaries feel too solid. For example, I believe the gray patch around the eyes could have blended into the surrounding white a bit better. Either way, a huge improvement over the CollectA figure.
Despite having been released way back in 1997, the MBA Pacific white-sided dolphin still appears to be the better figure compared to CollectA’s attempt. It mainly comes down to the better pose and paintjob of the posterior half of the body. Unfortunately, this figure, being both a later release and among the first retirees, is the rarest figure to hunt down in the secondhand market. A vigilant eye must be maintain at all times if you want to acquire this little gem.
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This and the Vanishing Wildlife Gemsbok are the two most coveted Safari items I have never been able to snag for myself.
Dude, I found a toy lot that has this figure if you want it. You want me to link it to you?
I’d love to find this item. Any leads would be great.
Thanks for sharing!