Spinner Dolphin

Stenella longirostris

Spinner dolphins are playful and love to jump out of the water! They are friendly creatures that often swim in groups called pods.

Appearance

The Spinner Dolphin has a sleek, torpedo-shaped body with a dark grey back, light grey sides, and a white belly. It often features a dark stripe from its eye to its flipper. Its long, slender snout and dark eye patch distinguish it from other dolphins.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCetaceaFamilyDelphinidaeGenusStenella

Spinner Dolphin

Interesting facts

Spinner dolphins can gather in 'super-pods' of thousands of individuals!

Their amazing spins are thought to communicate, clean, or even play!

They are named for their incredible acrobatic aerial spins!

They nap by resting near the surface, with half their brain asleep at a time!

Special abilities

Spinner Dolphins can leap and spin mid-air because of their powerful tails, stunning prey and signaling to others.

Spinner Dolphins use echolocation to navigate and find food in the dark ocean depths, sending out clicks and listening for echoes.

Spinner Dolphins hunt cooperatively, herding schools of fish into tight balls that helps them catch more food efficiently.

Measurements & details

Length: 170-240 cm
Weight: 60-90 kg
Lifespan: 20-25 years
Top Speed: 40 km/h
Litter Size: 1
Gestation: 310-330 days

Diet & Feeding

These speedy dolphins eat small fish, squid, and shrimp that they hunt in deep ocean waters.

Primary Foods

lanternfish
flying squid
shrimp
hatchetfish

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

Orca

Orcinus orca

Orcas are apex predators and will occasionally prey on dolphins.

eaten by

Great White Shark

Carcharodon carcharias

Large sharks sometimes prey on young or vulnerable dolphins.

hunts

Lanternfish

Myctophum affine

Spinner dolphins primarily hunt these small, schooling fish at night.

hunts

Purpleback Flying Squid

Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis

Squid are a significant part of their diet, especially during deep-water hunts.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Furry

Find adorable animals covered in a cozy coat of soft fur! Their fur helps them stay warm and protected in different environments.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Echolocation

Listen closely to animals that use special sounds to "see" in the dark! They send out sound waves and listen to the echoes to find their way and catch prey.

Speedster

Discover creatures that dart, zip, and fly with incredible swiftness, making them masters of rapid movement in their habitats. They are built for speed, whether chasing prey or escaping danger.

Aquatic

Discover amazing creatures that call water their home, whether it's oceans, rivers, or lakes! These habitats are full of incredible life.

Marine

Dive into the vast, salty waters of the ocean, teeming with an incredible diversity of life, from tiny plankton to giant whales! It's a watery wonderland.