Peale’s Dolphins occur in coastal neritic (shelf water) habitats. In the South Atlantic they range widely over the Patagonian shelf from the wave-washed shoreline out to the 200 m isobath several tens of km offshore (Goodall et al. 1997a, Dellabianca et al. 2016). In Tierra del Fuego and southern Chile, they inhabit deep channels and fjords, but are most frequently seen along the rocky shores rather than in the deep sections of the channels (Goodall et al. 1997a, Zamorano-Abramson et al. 2010). In the Chiloé archipelago Peale’s Dolphins prefer shallow waters (<30 m) along more exposed shorelines or over shoals (Heinrich et al. submitted). Around the Falkland Islands Peale’s Dolphins are found both close to shore as well as offshore to the 100 m isobath (Costa et al. 2018). This wide range of neritic habitats suggests some degree of ecological flexibility.

The diet of Peale’s Dolphins is not well known, but stomach analyses from individuals in the southwestern South Atlantic identified mostly demersal and bottom fishes, and octopus and squid species (Schiavini et al. 1997) which commonly occur over the continental shelf and in kelp beds. Observational studies support the notion that Peale’s Dolphins strongly associate with coastal kelp beds (Macrocystis sp.) (de Haro and Iniguez 1997, Viddi and Lescrauwaet 2005, Viddi et al. 2011). Stable isotope analyses of dolphin bones suggested that coastal-benthic species such as zoarcids and nototheniod fishes and nearshore pelagic species (e.g., Odonthestes spp.) are important food sources for this species in Tierra del Fuego (Riccialdelli et al. 2010).

Over much of their range Peale's Dolphins are broadly sympatric with Dusky Dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) although their habitat usage differs sufficiently to provide some spatial separation (Heinrich et al. 2010). The two species co-occur and sometimes form mixed groups in the Beagle Channel, at the southern extreme of the distribution of Dusky Dolphins (Dellabianca et al. 2018). Peale’s and Dusky Dolphins can be difficult to differentiate at sea (Goodall et al. 1997a,b) leading to some uncertainty about species identification for sightings reported further offshore or from the extreme northern and southern parts of the range. Peale’s Dolphins frequently associate with other cetacean species, especially Commerson’s Dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii). They are also known for their boat-positive behavior, readily approaching moving vessels to ride the bow wave (Cipriano 2018).

Limited evidence from individual identification studies suggests that some Peale’s Dolphins are resident in nearshore waters throughout the year, but some might also range widely alongshore (Lescrauwaet 1997, Heinrich 2006). Calves have been reported from spring through autumn, but population biology and dynamics remain poorly understood.

The Peale's Dolphinis on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Recommended actions for conservation include cooperative research on biology and abundance and a thorough assessment of anthropogenic threats throughout the species’ range. Given the extensive range of this species population genetic studies should be a priority. Ongoing genetic studies indicate some differences in the mtDNA control regions of Peale’s Dolphins in the East and West Falkland Islands raising the possibility of population structuring along the continental coasts (Baker et al. 2018).