Spinner Dolphin
Stenella longirostrisAlso known as Long-snouted Spinner Dolphin, Spinner, Long-beaked Dolphin
Spinner dolphins are highly social cetaceans renowned for their spectacular aerial acrobatics, leaping up to three meters above the water while spinning multiple times on their longitudinal axis. They hunt in large, coordinated pods at night, diving deep to feed on the rising scattering layer of fish and squid before returning to shallow bays to rest during the day. Their complex vocalizations, including signature whistles and echolocation clicks, help maintain tight group cohesion across vast ocean expanses.
- diet
- Mesopelagic fish, squid, and shrimp
- family
- Delphinidae
- threats
- Bycatch in gillnets, purse-seine fishing, marine pollution, acoustic disturbance
- life Span
- 20 to 25 years
LC
Safe to observe from a respectful distance on a boat.
Human disturbance in shallow resting bays disrupts critical daytime sleep, leading to chronic stress and lower reproductive rates.
Never approach, circle, or block the path of resting dolphins; allow them to move.- Keep Distance: Maintain at least 50 yards distance when observing from a vessel.
- Do Not Swim: Avoid entering the water with resting pods in shallow bays.
- Limit Noise: Put engines in neutral to prevent acoustic disruption to their communication.