Spinner Dolphin

(Stenella longirostris)

Identity card

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.

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

 

Banner photo credit: Laurent Bouveret / OMMAG