Rough-toothed Dolphin

Rough-toothed dolphins occur broadly across tropical and subtropical oceans, including parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea. They use coastal, reef, and pelagic environments but often favor nutrient-rich waters more than 1,500 metres deep; records extend from 5 to 2,000 metres. Adults measure approximately 2.00–2.65 metres and weigh 90–160 kilograms. The species has a distinctive long beak, dark-gray body, pale spotting, white underside, and contrasting bluish-gray upper and pinkish-white lower jaws (Animal Diversity Web).

Usually encountered in groups of 10–30, rough-toothed dolphins may assemble in much larger pods and sometimes associate with other dolphin or whale species. They can remain submerged for as long as 15 minutes and communicate through whistles, echolocation clicks, burst-pulse signals, and coordinated swimming. Their carnivorous diet includes silversides, saury, needlefish, squid, and especially mahimahi. Small groups may chase, toss, and share prey or forage around tightly packed schools of fish, using their characteristically rough teeth to tear food apart (Animal Diversity Web).