[3] The rough-toothed dolphin is a relatively large species, with adults ranging from 2.09 to 2.83 metres (6.9 to 9.3 ft) in length, and weighing between 90 and 155 kilograms (198 and 342 lb); males are larger than females.

As the common name for the species implies, the teeth are also distinctive, having a roughened surface formed by numerous narrow irregular ridges.

Older individuals often have distinctive pinkish, yellow, or white markings around the mouth and along the underside.

They inhabit the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, and in the Mediterranean Sea, in warm temperate to tropical waters, with occasional reports from cooler environments.

Rough-toothed dolphins can also be seen regularly in locations stretching from the Windward Islands to Cape Verde, but only a small handful have been seen in Azores and Madeira.

[5] Live sightings are almost universally made far off-shore,[citation needed] beyond the continental shelf, in water at least 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) deep.

[4][12] Although details of their diet are sketchy, the stomach contents of stranded dolphins have included such fish such as silversides, sauries, houndfish, smelts, cutlassfish, and various squid and octopuses.

[4] Rough-toothed dolphins have controversially been reported to engage in intentional self-intoxication with puffer fish toxins.

A small number of individuals have been harpooned by Japanese whalers and pods are also slaughtered in the Taiji drive hunts.