by: Kathleen Dudzinski
As their name implies, Atlantic spotted dolphins have spots, both light and dark in color, that develop over the countershaded coloring of their bodies.
The differences in the degree of spot pigmentation is relative to each recognized spot/age class with the least amount of spots belonging to the younger animals and the greater number of spots belonging to those that are older. This is due to their lifelong accumulation of spots.
Atlantic spotted dolphins are approximately 2 m in length and weigh about 80 kg.
Endemic to the pelagic, tropical and temperate Atlantic Ocean, this spotter can also be found off the coast of West Africa.
The Atlantic spotted dolphin is well-known for its habuation to and tolerance of human swimmers in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, especially in the waters around the Bahamas Archipelago. Often filmed for various movies and documentaries, the unique opportunity to swim with and to observe the behavior of these wild animals has provided invaluable information on the complexity of the social lives of delphinids. At times, these spotted dolphins seem to seek out human playmates.
There is apparently no interaction between fishery operations and Atlantic spotted dolphins throughout their range. The primary impact on some groups is from tourism and dolphin swim or watching programs. While there is documentation of humans and spotted dolphins swimming amongst one another for almost 30 years, specific effects of the human presence have not been thoroughly examined. However, some may be taken in tuna purse seine off of West Africa.
Insufficiently known.
Jefferson, T.A., Leatherwood, S. and M.A. Webber. 1994. FAO Species Identification Guide, Marine Mammals of the World. FAO of the United Nations, Rome.
Leatherwood, S. and R.R. Reeves (1983) The Sierra Club Handbook of Whales and Dolphins. Sierra Club Books, San Fransisco.
Jefferson, T.A., Curry, B.E., Leatherwood, S. and J.A. Powell. 1997. Dolphins and porpoises of West Africa: A review of records (Cetacea: Delphinidae, Phocoenidae). Mammalia, v61 i1 pp 87-108 (22).
Perrin, W.F., Mitchell, E.D., Mead, J.G., Caldwell, D.K., Caldwell, M.C., van Bree, P.J.H. and W.H. Dawbin (1987) Revision of the spotted dolphins, Stenella spp. Marine Mammal Science, 3, Pp 99-170.
Marine Mammal Stranding Center
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