Classification: F. Cuvier first described Stenella frontalis in 1829, from a specimen found off West Africa.
Local Names: Gulf Stream Dolphin;Gulf Stream Spotted Dolphin; Spotted Porpoise; Bridled Dolphin; Spotter; Long-Snouted Dolphin.
Description: The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin is a fairly robust animal, with a heavier body than its cousin, the Pantropical Spotted Dolphin. It has a moderately long, chunky beak that is tipped with white, and occasionally the lips may also be this colour. There are 30-42 pairs of teeth on each jaw. The upper body colour is dark purplish-grey which fades to medium-grey 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.
Behaviour: 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, lobtailling, forward flips and bowriding have all been observed. They have also been seen aiding distressed members of their schools.
Longevity: Unknown.
Estimated Current Population: Unknown, but locally common.
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.
