This color pattern persists into adulthood but darkens over time, with some of the largest adults showing white areas on the dorsal fin and hump.

[9][10] A study from 1983 examining the stomachs of 17 humpback dolphins found that glassnosed anchovy (Thryssa vitrirostris) was the most common prey, followed by ribbon fish (Trichiurus lepturus), olive grunter (Pomadasys olivaceum), and longtooth kob (Otolithes ruber).

[11] A study of Humpback dolphins stranded in Hong Kong from 1994-2000 had similar results, with the addition of cutlassfishes, sardines, mullets, and catfish.

[12] A more recent study in 2013 analyzing the stomach contents of 22 humpback dolphins (13 males, 9 females) caught in shark nets in the KwaZulu-Natal Coastline identified 59 different prey species.

Further, Australian cetologist Graham Ross writes "However, recent morphological studies, somewhat supported equivocally by genetic analyses, indicate that there is a single, variable species for which the name S. chinensis has priority".

In late 2013, researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society and the American Natural History museum proposed classification of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin into three species based on morphological and genetic analysis.

It is listed on Appendix I[23][24] as this species has been categorized as being in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant proportion of its range and CMS Parties strive towards strictly protecting these animals, conserving or restoring the places where they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them.

It is listed on Appendix II[23][24] as it has an unfavourable conservation status or would benefit significantly from international co-operation organised by tailored agreements.

[25] In addition, the Atlantic humpback dolphin is covered by the Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Conservation of the Manatee and Small Cetaceans of Western Africa and Macaronesia.