#spinner dolphin
Common Facts:
Scientific name – Stenella longirostris
Diet – Small fish and squid
Size – 6-7 feet, 130-170 pounds
Lifespan – up to 20 years
Most of us are familiar with dolphins—the fun and playful porpoises that can often be seen leaping out of the water to socialize with each other and with humans. One type of dolphin that you may not be as familiar with is the Spinner Dolphin.
Spinner dolphins are named after their above the water theatrics—they love to leap out of the water and spin a few times on their body axis while doing so. Some can spin as many as four times around in one leap.
These dolphins love to stay together and are usually found in huge groups. They do their hunting at night, feeding mainly on mid-water fishes and deep-water squid, and then they rest during the day time.
Spinner dolphins can been found all over the world, mainly in tropical and subtropical oceans. For some reason, Spinners tend to follow groups of Yellowfin Tuna around. Because of this, fishermen seeking Tuna will often track the dolphins in order to get to them. Oftentimes, the dolphins are caught in the nets with the tuna, and because of this, their population is decreasing.
Thankfully, “Fishing methods for tuna imported into the U.S. under the Dophin-Safe program do not allow fishing practices, such as setting on dolphins.” The Spinner Dolphin population is at a stable number right now.
So if you are ever in a warm and tropical area, close to the ocean, stay alert to see if you can see any Spinner Dolphins. If you do, you are in for a show!
Sources:http://acsonline.org/fact-sheets/spinner-dolphin/
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/cetaceans/spinnerdolphin.htm
Written by: Kari Shirley, intern
Meet the species of dolphin that REALLY knows how to have fun! Common Facts: Scientific name - Stenella longirostris Diet - Small fish and squid Size - 6-7 feet, 130-170 pounds…
A posse of proper ‘phins
And another set of illustrations from last year. This time the “proper” dolphins - not too small, a regular dorsal fin, a good beak. Only the Risso’s is a bit out of line with their cute potheads but otherwise he was all alone. I had lots of fun with all of these. Spinners and Pantropcal spotted dolphin are a delight to draw always. This Pantropical spotted is from the Indian ocean, which tend to have fine black spots and very few white spots. The rough-toothed dolphin gave me some trouble - they’ve such odd proportions they’re hard to really nail down. I still don’t think he fully looks right, but that’s for a different illustration.
The common dolphins on top are very interesting to me: a good example of the diversity found within the single species of Delphinus delphis. Both are forms living around Southern Africa. The “longer beaked” form is larger, more elegant, and has gorgeous clear markings. They live off the Southeast coast, relatively close to shore. The “shorter beaked” form lives more to the west, in offshore waters. They are stouter and often with slightly vaguer markings. One day I’d love to see a study done on all the African forms of short-beaked common dolphins, they are so fascinating. If you move further up the west coast, around Angola, you’ll find a really strange form which is super dark and oddly proportioned. Wonder what’s up with those.
The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin is also an oddball, and a first for me. Love their cute faces and unique body shape. Not just the hump-back but also that strongly keeled peduncle. I hope you’ll enjoy them too!
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