Description A wild dusky dolphin named "Nox".
Date 2001, Atlantic Ocean
Author AllenMcC. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:AllenMcC.
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DuskyDolphin.jpg

The dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) is a dolphin found in coastal waters in the Southern Hemisphere. Its specific epithet is Latin for "dark" or "dim". It is very closely genetically related to the Pacific white-sided dolphins, but current scientific consensus holds they are distinct species. The dolphin's range is patchy, with major populations around South America, southwestern Africa, New Zealand, and various oceanic islands, with some sightings around southern Australia and Tasmania. The dusky dolphins prefer cool currents and inshore waters, but can also be found offshore. It feeds on a variety of fish and squid species and has flexible hunting tactics. The dusky dolphin is known for its remarkable acrobatics, having a number of aerial behaviours. The status of the dolphin is unknown, but it has been commonly caught in gill nets. Order: Artiodactyla, Infraorder: Cetacea, Family: Delphinidae, Genus: Lagenorhynchus, Species: Lagenorhynchus obscurus Gray, 1828.