Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Delphinidae
- Genus
- Steno
Habitat
Rough-toothed dolphins primarily inhabit tropical and warm temperate oceans worldwide, favoring deep offshore waters beyond the continental shelf. They are pelagic species often found in areas with depths greater than 1,000 meters, avoiding shallow coastal regions.
Diet
Rough-toothed dolphins mainly feed on fish such as mackerel and flying fish, as well as squid. They hunt in coordinated groups using echolocation to locate prey in deep waters, typically feeding during the day when prey is more abundant.
Behavior
Rough-toothed dolphins are highly social, living in pods of 10 to 50 individuals and often forming loose associations with other dolphin species. They are active during the day, exhibiting playful behaviors such as bow-riding boats and leaping out of the water. They are curious and may approach vessels but can also be elusive in the open ocean.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the rough-toothed dolphin as Least Concern, with a stable population trend globally. Major threats include bycatch in fishing gear and marine pollution.