| Family: |
Delphinidae (marine or true dolphins) |
| Max. size: |
270 cm BL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 230 kg |
| Environment: |
pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 2000 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Indian Ocean and Western Pacific Ocean. |
| Diagnosis: |
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| Biology: |
They prefer living on seagrass meadows and rocky substrata (Ref. 114971). Feeds on bony fishes and cephalopods (Ref. 84677). Attacked and preyed upon by tiger sharks Galeocerdo cuvier (Ref. 104930). This species was reported to display complex prey handling of the benthic-dwelling Maori octopus (Macroctopus maorum), processing its prey by shaking and tossing (Ref. 122728). The same octopus was reported to have asphyxiated an adult male of this species, with the octopus arms protruding from the mouth and the rest of the body blocking the pharynx, larynx and
esophagus (Ref. 122729). Occurs in pods of various numbers (Ref. 129713). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 18 July 2019 (A4cd) Ref. 123251)
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| Threat to humans: |
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| Country info: |
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