Pantropical Spotted Dolphin ( Stenella attenuata )

Pantropical Spotted Dolphin off Costa Rica.

Photograph by Jenny van Twillert. Some rights reserved.

MAMMAL FACTS

distribution map showing range of Stenella attenuata in North America

Description
The Pantropical Spotted Dolphin is gray and develops spots on the skin as it grows older. The back is gray with pale spots, and the belly is pale with dark spots. The snout is white and it has a fatty bump on its forehead. Males are larger than females although females have longer beak. The Spotted Dolphin has 29 - 37 small, rounded teeth on either side of its upper and lower jaws.

Size
Length: males1.6m - 2.6m; females 1.7m - 2.5m

Environment
tropical and subtropical ocean and seas. Most live in open ocean, although some are found in coastal areas.

Food
fish, squid

Breeding
A single calf (rarely twins) is born after a gestation period of just under 12 months. The calf is weaned after about 1.5 years or longer.

Range
Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans

Notes
The Pantropical Spotted Dolphin swims with tuna such as yellowfin tuna. Millions of these dolphins have been killed around the world after becoming entangled in fishing nets. More environmentally friendly fishing techniques including dolphin rescue techniques have reduced the accidental kill to a few thousand each year.

Conservation Status
LR|cd

Classification