{"id":2577,"date":"2007-07-30T08:10:00","date_gmt":"2007-07-30T08:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whalewatchingazores.com\/blog\/2007\/07\/30\/atlantic-spotted-dolphin\/"},"modified":"2020-02-12T15:51:07","modified_gmt":"2020-02-12T16:51:07","slug":"atlantic-spotted-dolphin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whalewatchingazores.com\/blog\/atlantic-spotted-dolphin\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlantic spotted dolphin fact sheet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Spotted dolphins are characterised by their colouring and patterns of spots which vary with geographical\u00a0location and age. The spots, which are absent at birth build up over time so that adults have a dense covering of spots. Two species of spotted dolphin exist: Pantropical (S. attenuata<\/em>) and Atlantic (S. frontalis<\/em>) which are encountered in the Azores and other subtropical and tropical areas off the Atlantic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Azores,\u00a0Atlantic spotted dolphins are seen between June and December, with the highest\u00a0sighting rates being around August, when the water is warmest.\u00a0 They are usually seen in large groups\u00a0numbering up to several hundred or thousands. They travel in long, low leaps\u00a0and often approach boats from a distance to ride in their bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Length:\u00a0<\/strong>
\u2022\u00a0Male: 2.3 m
\u2022\u00a0Female: 2.3 m
\u2022\u00a0Calf: 0.8 \u2013 1.3 m<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight:\u00a0<\/strong>
\u2022\u00a0Male: 140 kg
\u2022\u00a0Female: 130 kg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global population:<\/strong>\u00a0Unknown\u00a0(population trend unknown)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Status:\u00a0<\/strong>Data Deficient<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diet:\u00a0<\/strong>Small\u00a0schooling fish like mackerel<\/a>, squid<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teeth:\u00a0<\/strong>120\u00a0– 168<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Longevity: <\/strong>Unknown<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding age:\u00a0<\/strong>6\u00a0\u2013 8 years<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gestation:\u00a0<\/strong>9 \u2013 11 months<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nursing:\u00a0<\/strong>1 \u2013 2 years<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other languages<\/strong>
Portuguese: Golfinho-pintado
Spanish: Delf\u00edn moteado del Atl\u00e1ntico\u00a0
French: Dauphin tachet\u00e9 de l’Atlantique
Italian:\u00a0Stenella\u00a0maculata atlantica
German: Fleckendelfin\/Z\u00fcgeldelfin
Dutch:\u00a0Atlantische vlekdolfijn,\u00a0Atlantische gevlekte dolfijn
Swedish: Betseldelfin, atlantisk fl\u00e4ckigdelfin
Norwegian: Atlantiske flekket delfin
Danish: Atlantisk plettet delfin
Finnish: Atlantint\u00e4pl\u00e4delfiini
Polish: Delfin plamiasta
Russian: – <\/p>\n\n\n\n