The
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin is a fairly robust animal, with a heavier body than its
cousin, the Pan tropical Spotted Dolphin. It has a moderately long, chunky beak
that is tipped with white, and occasionally the lips may also be this color.
There are 30-42 pairs of teeth on each jaw. The upper body color is dark
purplish-gray which fades to medium-gray and white undersides. There is a
distinct blaze along the spine that sweeps up into the dark dorsal cape.
Spotting varies from very heavy to no spots at all. On dark areas, the spots are
pale, and darken on lighter parts, and the number of spots increases with age.
They reach at least 2.3m and 143kg.
Recognition at sea: The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin could be confused with the
larger Bottlenose Dolphin if only faintly spotted; however, the combination of
spots and spinal blaze is a characteristic only of the former.
Habitat:
Atlantic Spotted Dolphins
occur in both coastal and oceanic waters.
Food &
Feeding: Atlantic Spotted
Dolphins take squid and a large selection of fish.
Behavior:
The typical family group
can reach a maximum of around fifty individuals, but most often numbers between
5-15 in coastal areas. This species is particularly vocal and very active at the
surface; high jumps, bobtailing, forward flips and bow riding have all been
observed. They have also been seen aiding distressed members of their schools.
Population: Unknown
The
Influence of Man:
Atlantic Spotted Dolphins are killed in small harpoon fisheries in the Caribbean
and off St. Vincent and the Azores. All efforts to successfully keep this
species in captivity have failed.
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