The dusky dolphin is scientifically known as Lagenorhynchus obscurus. This is medium sized dolphin that can vary from gray to black. The belly and the area below the head are white in color. It has a longish body that tends to resemble a spindle. The nose of the dolphin is short, while the dorsal fin is situated high on the back. This dolphin has around 36 teeth that are extremely sharp.

An adult can reach a length of around six feet and weigh as much as 300 pounds. The fact that their body is shaped like a spindle, it allows the dusky dolphin to be extremely swift and agile. In fact, compared to all the other types of dolphins, the dusky dolphin is the most supple and nimble.

The reason that this species of dolphin is not seen in the northern hemisphere is because it is mostly concentrated in the southern hemisphere. It lives mainly in coastal waters, and maximum number of dusky dolphins is found along the coast of Peru. However, they also inhabit the waters around New Zealand, Africa, Argentina and Tasmania.

Researchers are still not sure about the number of dusky dolphins surviving in the wild. This is primarily because they are difficult to survey due to their deep diving nature. Also, they are spread far and wide across the globe, so researchers are unable to gauge the number of dolphins present in the wild. Furthermore, researchers assume that the speed and agility that the dolphins have are primarily used for migration. However, even this cannot be ascertained for sure.

The behavior of the dusky dolphins is truly entertaining and pleasure to watch. They can perform a range of jumps and acrobatics without any problem. Each gender tends to form its own group, with males forming one, while females and their calves forming a separate group. The males and females do not intermingle till it is time to mate. A group can consist of 10 dolphins or it can be huge with more than thousand dolphins.

These dolphins come to surface of the water every 5 minutes to breathe and then dive deep into the water. The dusky dolphin has no problems interacting with other dolphins and also whales.

The fact that these dolphins have sharp teeth means that they are meant for chewing. This species eats fish and squids. However, it can use its sharp teeth to eat any prey that is near the surface of the water. It is common to see dusky dolphins consume birds, anchovies and octopi. They are also capable of eating dogs and cats. Some researchers have also seen this species consume tomatoes! These dolphins hunt in groups and make use of their echolocation to find their prey. Researchers have noticed that while hunting, dusky dolphins tend to slam their bodies against the water and this attracts the food to them and allows them to catch their prey without having to go hunting or searching for them.

Dusky dolphins tend to mature sexually when they reach a length of around 5.5 feet. The gestation period is 11 months and when the calf is born, it stays with the mother for the initial 3 years of its life. The calf is fed on milk during the first year and thereafter, it is taught to hunt. Once the calf is 3 years old, the mother is ready to breed again. If the calf is a male, it joins a pod of male dusky dolphins, while the female calf stays with the mother's pod.

Just like most other species of dolphins, even dusky dolphins are not safe. They are killed in large numbers in Peru, where these dolphins are consumed by the people. In other areas, such as New Zealand, these dolphins get killed after getting caught in fishing nets or being hit by speeding fishing and recreational boats.

As there is no estimate of the number of dusky dolphins living in the wild, they are not protected or cited as endangered cetaceans as yet.

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