ATLANTIC SPOTTED DOLPHIN

Stenella frontalis

Spotted dolphins are characterised by their colouration and patterns of spots which vary with geographical location and age. The spots, which are absent at birth, build up over time so that adults usually have a dense covering of spots.

Two species of spotted dolphin exist: the Pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), which is spread throughout tropical to subtropical areas of the world’s oceans, and Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), which is confined to the tropical to subtropical waters of the Atlantic ocean (it is this latter species that we observe here in the Azores).

Atlantic spotted dolphins are typically seen in the Azores from June and November/December, with the highest sighting rates being around August, when the water is warmest.  During warmer years, we have seen small groups of Atlantic spotted dolphins that remain here throughout January to early February.

During the colder months, this species leaves the waters of the Azores and head further south to warmer waters. In the Azores, Atlantic spotted dolphins are usually seen in large groups numbering up to several hundreds or thousands that often mix together with common dolphins  and sometimes bottlenose dolphins.

Atlantic spotted dolphins travel in long, low leaps and often approach boats from a distance to ride in their bow.

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