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Pantropical Spotted Dolphin

Pantropical spotted dolphins are known for their acrobatic abilities — they have been recorded swimming up to 28 kilometers per hour (17.4 miles per hour) and can leap well above the ocean’s surface. 

 

Pantropical dolphins roam all tropical and subtropical waters across the globe. They are highly social and are known to swim in pods of thousands of individuals, as well as frequently associating with other dolphin species and schools of yellowfin tuna. These large mixed groups likely mean more eyes keeping watch for predators like sharks. Their reputation for being social isn’t just due to the company they keep — they also communicate with others by using their blowhole.  

These dolphins are named for the spots they gain on their body as they get older. The upper half of their body is dark gray with light spots while their lower half is light gray with dark spots. They also have a distinct white beak and a prominent forehead known as a melon. Their melon enables them to echolocate prey and navigate in low visibility. 

During the day they swim in shallower waters, but at night they dive deep down in search of prey. This dolphin eats squid and small fish near the ocean surface, and some subspecies may also eat small crustaceans, lanternfish, and other bottom-dwelling species.  

 

 

Pantropical dolphins are slowly recovering from being depleted by tuna fishers in the later half of the 20th century. They are still threatened today by hunting, harassment, and entanglement in fishing gear, but thanks to efforts around their conservation, they are listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. 

 

 

Oceana campaigns for fishing gear alternatives to prevent dolphins and other ocean animals from becoming accidentally entangled by fishers. We also campaign to keep legislation like the Marine Mammal Protection Act strong, which benefits pantropical potted dolphins and all marine mammals. 

 

 

 

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