Family: Delphinidae, Ocean Dolphins view all from this family

Description To 8' (2.4 m). Robust. Adults dark above, profusely marked with light spots; sides and belly lighter gray to white with progressively darker spots. As spotting develops, light blaze of spotting angles up and back through dark upper portion of side toward center of dorsal fin base. Light line from eye to flipper. Distinct dark cape to behind dorsal fin, present in juveniles, becomes less obvious as spotting increases with age. Head slender, beak distinct, moderately long, tip and lips often white. Transverse groove between snout and forehead. Dorsal fin distinctly falcate, tip pointed.

Similar Species Bridled Dolphin (S. frontalis) has less robust body; lacks spinal blaze; adults have more distinct dark cape on head, dark stripe between corner of mouth and flipper. Rough-toothed Dolphin (Steno bredanensis) has pinkish-white beak. Bottlenosed Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) has well-defined beak.

Habitat Generally offshore waters at over 100 fathoms at least 5 miles (8 km) from coast. Seasonally may approach very close to shore.

Range From latitude of Cape May, New Jersey, along mainland shores to Venezuela, including Gulf of Mexico and Lesser Antilles.

Discussion This species is also known as the Spotter, Gulf Stream Spotted Dolphin, Spotted Porpoise, and, in older literature, Long-snouted Dolphin. Atlantic Spotted Dolphins may occur in herds of several thousand, but smaller groups are more common. They may jump clear of the water and sometimes ride bow waves.