Rough-toothed dolphin  (Steno bredanensis)

Description

With a head that slopes smoothly down into a long beak, and large flippers that are set fairly far back on the body (2), this rather primitive-looking dolphin is sometimes said to be somewhat reptilian in appearance (4). Named for the subtle ridges and wrinkles on the teeth (4), the body of the rough-toothed dolphin is patterned black, white and grey. It has a white underside, mid-grey sides, and a black to dark grey back. A darker region on the back, called a cape, runs narrowly from the top of the head to behind the tall, curved-back dorsal fin, where it widens (2). The body often bears the scars of bites from cookie-cutter sharks, leaving behind white patches, splotches and spots (2). Young rough-toothed dolphins often lack these white marks, and are more subdued in colour (2).

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