Fauna
Mammal

Rough-toothed Dolphin

Steno bredanensis

Also known as Rough-Toothed Porpoise, Steno Dolphin

Rough-toothed dolphins excel at deep diving in pelagic waters, using vertically-ridged teeth to grip slippery prey like squid and mahi-mahi. They travel in tight-knit pods of ten to twenty individuals, often skimming the surface at high speeds with their snouts poking above the water. A smooth conical head with no visible forehead crease easily distinguishes them from other oceanic dolphins.

OceanicDeep DiverMarine Mammal
Rough-toothed Dolphin reference1 / 2
(c) Wairambar Rainforest, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySquid, Mahi-Mahi, Octopus
Predators
  • Killer Whale
  • Great White Shark
ThreatsFisheries bycatch, ocean pollution, boat strikes, underwater noise
HabitatsPelagic and offshore tropical and subtropical waters
Life span30–40 years
Classification
  1. OrderCetacea
  2. FamilyDelphinidae
  3. GenusSteno
  4. SpeciesSteno bredanensis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe from a boat at a respectful distance.
What to notice
Distinguished by a dark gray body cape, pinkish bellies, white lips, and a smoothly sloping head.
Support conservation
Maintain a distance of at least 100 meters with motorized vessels and never cut across a pod's path.
Responsible observation
  • Boat Navigation: Maintain a steady course and speed if dolphins approach to bow-ride.
  • Identification Cue: Look for a conical head that slopes smoothly into the long snout without a forehead crease.
  • Sighting Logs: Report offshore sightings to cetacean research groups to help monitor pod health.
Related species
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