Spinner Dolphin
(Stenella longirostris)
Identity card
Taxonomy
Order: Odontocetes
Family: Delphinidae
Species: Stenella longirostris longirostris
Measurements
1.3 to 2.4 m, weighing 55 to 80 kg
Lifespan
From 20 to 26 years
IUCN status
Least Concern
Habitat
The Spinner Dolphin lives in warm surface waters near the coast and reefs during the day and offshore at night. It is found in tropical and subtropical waters.
Reproduction
Sexual maturity is reached between 4 and 10 years. The Spinner Dolphin can then give birth to one calf every 3 years after a 10 to 11-month gestation period. A peak in births is observed between June and September.
Diet
It feeds on fish, molluscs and some crustaceans, and migrates to follow shoals of fish.
Dauphin à long bec (Stenella longirostris longirostris).
Laurent Bouveret / OMMAG
Dauphin à long bec (Stenella longirostris longirostris).
Laurent Bouveret / OMMAG
Morphological characteristics for identification at sea
- Head: very long and thin rostrum, elongated "melon" shape
- Fins: triangular dorsal fin with a straight tip
- Colouring: dark grey back, light grey sides, white belly, dark band from eyes to pectorals, black lips and black rostrum tip
Illustration Dauphin à long bec / Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris longirostris)
Maël Dewynter / CARI'MAM / Office français de la biodiversité
Illustration Dauphin à long bec / Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris longirostris)
Maël Dewynter / CARI'MAM / Office français de la biodiversité
Did you know?
It performs spectacular twisting jumps doing up to 8 complete turns.
Banner photo credit: Laurent Bouveret / OMMAG