Bridled Dolphin
Stenella frontalis
Description
Maximum length is 2.1m (7 feet). Moderately robust body. Their back is dark gray, fading to lighter gray on their sides and belly. Degrees of fading vary and some individuals seem to have dark areas with light spots and others have light areas with dark spots. The border between back and side colours is blurred except in the area of the head where the cape is clear and dark. Their beak is distinct and moderately long; lips are white or pinkish. The side of their head is light gray with a black circle around the eye extending to the junction of the rostrum and the melon. They have a broad black stripe from the corner of their mouth to the insertion of the flipper which becomes less distinct in older individuals as spotting increases. Their dorsal fin is falcate and dark gray in colour.
Habitat
Near coastal areas and islands, also offshore tropical waters.
Range
From Massachusetts to Lesser Antilles, including E. and possibly W. Gulf of Mexico.
Food
They feed on squids, fishes, and shrimps.
Similar Species
It resembles the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin except the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin's distinct, dark cape is hidden as spotting increases, they don't have the dark stripe from corner of mouth to flipper that the Bridled Dolphin does, and older animals have a light blaze angling upward and backward from the dark upper portion of their side toward the center of the dorsal fin base. Rough-toothed Dolphin also resemble them but they have a pinkish-white beak instead.
Comments
This animal is also known as the Bridled Spotted Dolphin, Cuvier's Dolphin, and Bridled Porpoise.
The scientific name S. froenatus has been applied to it in recent years. The Spotted Dolphin of the eastern Pacific is considered by some authorities to be the same species. The Bridled Dolphin owes its common name to the black area circling the eye and extending forward.
This species enjoys riding bow waves.
Copyright 1999-2003 - All Rights Reserved, By Norma Ranieri (EMail:Dolphintailz@geocities.com)
Credits
Much of the information found here has been adapted from the following sources:
"The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Fishes, Whales & Dolphins", Copyright Chanticleer Press, Inc. 1983. All rights reserved.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/jaap/stenella.htm. All rights reserved.
[Dolphin Tales]
[Stories]
[Questions]
[Dolphin Info]
[Dolphin FAQ]
[Dolphin Species]
[Cetacean Glossary]
[WebRings]
[Graphics]
[Send/Receive Postcards]
[JOIN Our Webring]
[Links]
[Quotes]
[Bookstore]
[Awards and Memberships]
[What's New?]
[Associates]
[Suggestion Box]
[Sign My Guestbook]
[View My Guestbook]
The maintainer of these pages is not responsible for the content of
the banner above.
This page hosted by 
Get your own Free Home Page
