| Rough-Toothed Dolphin | Atlantic Spotted Dolphin |
|---|---|
| SNOUTS | |
| Long and slender; not clearlydemarcated from forehead. | Moderate in length andclearly demarcated fromforehead. |
They may be distinguished from Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins by the characteristics tabularized on p. [128].
Even at a distance the blotched coloration of the side and the white coloration of the rostrum of rough-toothed dolphins may be visible. If closer examination is possible, the distinctive shape and coloration of the beak make positive identification easy.
Distribution
Though records of rough-toothed dolphins from the western North Atlantic are scant, the species is assumed to be widely distributed in deep tropical to warm temperate waters. It has been reported from Virginia, Georgia, Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the West Indies, and off the northeastern coast of South America.
Stranded Specimens
In addition to the characteristics listed above for distinguishing living animals, stranded rough-toothed dolphins can be readily identified by the fact that the 20-27 fairly large teeth per jaw per side have a series of fine vertical wrinkles on the crown, a characteristic from which the species derives its common name. (These wrinkles are often difficult to detect.)
