Spinner Dolphin

Stenella longirostris

FIELD MARKS:
dolphinlike
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to 7 feet
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long beak
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erect dorsal fin
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acrobatic, often somersault
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often with Spotted Dolphin

Notes on Variability

Beak may be extremely long. Body color of large animals may be almost all black with light speckling. Exhibits worldwide race differences (the short-beaked form is thought by some to be a separate species).

Description

Maximum length 2.1m (7 feet). Slender body, slender beak that is dark on top and white below (on some white may show on top). Tip of snout distinctly black. Back is dark gray to black, sides tan or yellowish brown; belly white; lips black; transverse groove from forehead to snout. Erect dorsal fin moderately falcate, sometimes nearly triangular or tilted forward in adult males.

Habitat

Tropical oceanic and coastal waters.

Range

Occurs off Florida, Gulf of Mexico, West Indies, western tropical Pacific, and Hawaiian Islands. In Pacific, not known north of United States-Mexico border.

Similar Species

Their erect dorsal fin, long beak, and leaping activity distinguishes them from other dolphins of the same size.

Comments

Often in large herds mixed with Spotted Dolphins. While swimming, they leap clear of the water with considerable splashing. Frequently ride bow waves; however, in the Pacific, where many have been lost to tuna boat seiners, they now run from motorizes ships. Often leap high out of the water and somer-sault end-over-end (hence the name spinner).

Also known as the Long-Snouted Dolphin, Long-beaked Porpoise, Spinner Porpoise, and Spinner.



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.

"The Whale-Watchers Handbook: A Field Guide to the Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of North America", by David K. Bulloch, Copyright 1993, All rights reserved.

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