Striped Dolphin
(Stenella coeruleoalba)
Identity card
Taxonomy
Order: Odontocetes
Family: Delphinidae
Species: Stenella coeruleoalba
Measurements
1.9 to 2.6 m, weighing 90 to 160 kg
Lifespan
45 to 50 years
IUCN status
Least Concern
(International Red List)
Not Evaluated
(Martinique 2020 Red List, Guadeloupe 2022 Red List)
Habitat
The Striped Dolphin lives mainly offshore and in warm tropical and temperate waters above 20°C. It is pelagic but can also be seen near the coast when the continental shelf dips steeply.
Reproduction
The Striped Dolphin reaches its sexual maturity around 8 to 12 years. It can then give birth to a calf every 3 to 4 years and after a gestation period of about 1 year.
Diet
It is a carnivore and feeds on crustaceans, molluscs and fish found offshore. It migrates daily or seasonally depending on food resource availability.
On distingue bien la flamme claire caractéristique sur le flan du dauphin bleu et blanc.
Cedric MILLON / OMMAG
On distingue bien la flamme claire caractéristique sur le flan du dauphin bleu et blanc.
Cedric MILLON / OMMAG
Morphological characteristics for distinction at sea
- Head: thin medium-sized rostrum, distinct "melon"
- Fins and flippers: big dorsal fin, small and thin pectoral fins, concave caudal fin with a small median groove
- Colouring: bluish-grey, back with a dark cape, white or even slightly pink belly, thin bluish-black lines running along the flanks from the eye to the pectoral fins and the anus, black flippers, light coloured ''flame'' on the flanks running up to the back
Illustration Dauphin bleu et blanc / Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)
Maël Dewynter / CARI'MAM / Office français de la biodiversité
Illustration Dauphin bleu et blanc / Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)
Maël Dewynter / CARI'MAM / Office français de la biodiversité
Did you know?
It is the only species that does arched leaps while turning its tail several times.
Marc Dumontier / Office français de la biodiversité