Rough-toothed dolphin Steno bredanensis (G. Cuvier in Lesson, 1828)

Suborder: Odontoceti Family: Delphinidae

Rough-toothed dolphin Steno bredanensis

Sightings in Madeira

July to September

ID characteristics

Dark, narrow cape, sometimes not easily distinguished from its grey bluish flanks. White to pinkish underbody
Conical head shape and long, dark, reptilian body
Falcate to triangular dorsal fin, highly erect
Long beak smoothly prolonged from forehead with conspicuous white or pink mouth line, lower jaw and tip

Surface behaviour

Fast swimming, sometimes with tip of beak and chin out of the water
Often several individuals swim shoulder to shoulder, making a line (phalanx)

Distribution

Worldwide between parallels 40º North and 40º South
Deep tropical, subtropical and warm temperate waters around the world

Social

In small groups between 5 to 20 individuals

Diet

Fish and squid

Biometrics

Max length: 2.65 m
Adult weight: 100 to 150 kg

IUCN Status: Least concern
Madeira frequency status: Common

Other languages common names

GER - Rauzahndelfin
FRA - Dauphin à bec étroit, Sténo
ESP - Delfín de diente rugoso, Delfín de pico largo, Delfín de hocico estrecho
SWE - Näbbdelfin
DAN - Rutandet Delfin
ITA - Steno
NED - Snaveldolfijn
POL - Delfin długonosy
POR - Caldeirão

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