Family: |
Delphinidae (marine or true dolphins) |
Max. size: |
210 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 80 kg |
Environment: |
pelagic; marine |
Distribution: |
Atlantic Ocean, Indo-Pacific and the Antarctic: Lagenorhynchus obscurus fitzroyi: Peru, Argentina, Falkland Islands, Gough Island; Lagenorhynchus obscurus obscurus: Angola, South Africa, Prince Edward Island, Amsterdam; Lagenorhynchus obscurus subspecies.: New Zealand, Kerguelen, Crozet Island (Ref. 1522). |
Diagnosis: |
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Biology: |
Found over the continental shelf and slope. Feeds on southern anchovy and mid-water benthic prey such as squid and lantern fishes (Ref. 1394). Found over the continental shelf and slope. Feeds on southern anchovy and mid-water benthic prey such as squid and lantern fishes (Ref. 1394). Observed to have a common New Zealand octopus Pinnoctopus cordiformis attached to its dorsal area and caudal peduncle at different encounters. One encounter reported a group of dolphins to seem to be playing with the octopus. The dolphins were observed pulling and
biting chunks from the octopus’s arms but not from its mantle; it was unclear if the tissue was eaten (Ref. 122722). |
IUCN Red List Status: |
(LC); Date assessed: 16 August 2018 Ref. 123251)
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Threat to humans: |
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Country info: |
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