* The coasts of South America: This includes countries like Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay.
* The coasts of South Africa
* The coasts of New Zealand
* The coasts of Australia
* The waters surrounding islands like the Falkland Islands and Tasmania
Within these regions, they tend to prefer coastal areas with relatively shallow water and often frequent areas with rocky reefs and kelp forests. They are also known to be found in offshore waters but typically stay close to the continental shelf.
Key Factors Influencing their Habitat:
* Water temperature: They prefer cooler, temperate waters, typically between 10°C and 20°C.
* Water depth: They are generally found in shallower waters, particularly in coastal areas.
* Food availability: They are opportunistic feeders and thrive in areas with abundant prey, such as squid, fish, and krill.
* Presence of rocky reefs and kelp forests: These provide shelter and a good source of food.
Note: While their overall habitat is generally confined to the Southern Hemisphere, there have been rare sightings of dusky dolphins in the Northern Hemisphere, specifically in the waters off the coast of California. However, these sightings are considered to be unusual and do not represent their typical habitat.