Common Name: Atlantic Spotted Dolphin
Species: Stenella frontalis
Adult Weight: 100-140kg (220-310lbs)
Birth Weight: Unknown
Adult Length: 1.7-2.3m (5 3/4-7 1/2ft)
Birth Length: 80cm-1.2m (32in-4ft)
Status: Locally common
Habitat: Inshore and Offshore
Diet: Fish, squid and sometimes invertebrates
Description: The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin has been studied widely in the North Atlantic, but is poorly known in other areas. It closely resembles the Pantropical Spotted Dolphin, but has a slightly more robust body and a light streak on each shoulder as well as spots on the underside that remain distinctly defined and rarely merge. In schools of mixed age groups, the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin can be identified by the extensive spotting in older animals (although the spotting is variable and can be hard to see in certain lights) and the dark cape in younger animals (which have no spots). There are so many variations of spotted dolphins that its taxonomy has puzzled scientists for a long time; however, the Atlantic Dolphin is now accepted as a seperate species.
Behaviour: Very active at the surface. Often breaches, sometime hurling itself high into the air, where it seems to hang before falling back with a splash; most ariel behaviour observed when feeding. Fast and energetic swimmer, using long shallow leaps. Avid bow-rider: may swim far to join a fast-moving vessel (though more wary where hunted). Frequent reports of mixed schools with bottlenose dolphins may be cases of mistaken identity (possibly a result of older dolphins being spotted and younger ones unspotted). Group size is generally smaller (5-15) in inshore populations. Social structure appears to be fairly complex and is believed to include individual recognition and bonding.
Distribution: Known only from the Atlantic, where it occurs mainly in warm waters. Distribution off South Africa and West Africa poorly known, but might be more extensive than believed. Appears to be common in the western North Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf of Mexico population (and possibly other populations) moves closer during summer. Usually found over the offshore continential shelf. Smaller, less spotted form more pelagic than larger, heavily spotted form.
