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Table of Contents
Spotted dolphins are distinguished by their color and spot patterns, which change depending on their age and geographical location. Adults have a dense covering of spots as the spots, which are missing at birth, accumulate over time.
See the fact file below for more information on the Spotted Dolphin, or you can download our 30-page Spotted Dolphin worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
INTRODUCTION
- Spotted dolphins arenβt born with spots. Calves start gray, like any other dolphins. After about three years, they will begin to develop speckles. A few more years later, mottled spots would start to form. Finally, these dolphins mature into adults with light spots on their dark backs and darker ones on their pale white bellies.
COMMON CHARACTERISTICS
- Even though their name suggests otherwise, not all spotted dolphins have spots, so they are often misidentified in the ocean.
- Spotted dolphins range in length from 5 to 7.5 feet and weigh between 220 and 315 pounds. They have moderately long beaks. Their heads have a unique melon, a rounded forehead that gathers noises from the surroundings, like other cetaceans.
SPECIFIC SPECIES
- There are two species of Spotted Dolphins, the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin and the Pantropical Spotted Dolphin.
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin
- Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) have more widespread spots than pantropical dolphins, a shorter, stouter beak, a more rounded skull, and longer, less sharply curved flippers. Compared to their pantropical relatives, Atlantic spotted dolphins are more robust and do not acquire spots until later in life.
- Typically, their upper body can be dark gray or black, while underneath is white or cream. They will grow white spots on the dark parts of their bodies, and dark-colored spots can be visible on the whitish parts of their bodies.
- When fully grown, an Atlantic spotted dolphin can reach around seven and a half feet. Males tend to be considerably larger than females, and their weight ranges from 240 to 360 kilograms.
- The speed of an Atlantic spotted dolphin can reach between 22 and 28 kilometers per hour. It can throw itself high into the air or dive into the ocean at an incredible speed.
- Unspotted juveniles and subadult Atlantic spotted dolphins are frequently mistaken for young bottlenose dolphins.
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
- Like others in the genus Stenella, pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata) have thin, small, and hydrodynamic bodies.
- Male pantropical spotted dolphins are more extensive than females. It weighs about 120 kilograms and measures approximately 2.5 meters in length.
- These spotted dolphins frequently overlap in range with spinner dolphins, which have a distinct three-banded or tripartite color pattern, a longer, slimmer beak, and a more slender hooked dorsal fin.
- Not all pantropical spotted dolphins develop spots. But more than their spots, these animals of the Indian Ocean can be identified by the shape of their capes and long, slender bodies.
HABITAT
- In the Atlantic Ocean, warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical seas are home to spotted Atlantic dolphins. The waters off the East Coast of the United States, from the Gulf of Mexico to Massachusetts, the Bahamas, Brazil, the Azores and Canary Islands, and Gabon, are all within their range.
- The Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans, as well as the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, are home to Pantropical spotted dolphins. Typically, they are only found in latitudes between 40Β°S and 40Β°N. Although they can be seen around oceanic islands or other beaches with deep water close to the shoreline, they are primarily found in deep offshore areas (such as Central America and Mexico, the Hawaiian Islands, Taiwan, and the Philippines).
COMMUNICATION
- They have exceptional communication skills. To communicate with one another, they make a variety of loud clicks and whistles. They typically travel in groups of roughly 50, and they are known to coexist peacefully with other dolphin species.
DIET AND EATING HABITS
- Both of these dolphins are carnivores (piscivores and molluscivores).
- They hunt for crustaceans, cephalopods (such as squid and octopus), and epipelagic and mesopelagic fish as food.
- These dolphins specifically can gobble up about 36 species of cephalopods and 56 species of fish, with lanternfish predominating (myctophids). They also consume flying fish and crab larvae in some areas.
MATING AND REPRODUCTION
- Any time of the year, this dolphin mates. Most scientists believe this dolphin is polygamous and that females give birth every two to three years. Males mature sexually between 12 and 15, whereas females mature between 9 and 11.
- There is a higher prevalence of births in the spring and fall. The gestation period lasts roughly 11 months, and only one offspring is born.
THREATS AND CONSERVATION
Natural Predators
- Both species of spotted dolphins are preyed upon by orcas and sharks. Possible predators include false killer whales, pygmy killer whales, and short-finned pilot whales.
Entanglement
- Spotted dolphins may become entangled or captured in commercial fishing gear such as gillnets and purse seines. Both entanglement and capture in nets pose risks of injury and death.
Underwater Noise Pollution
- Sources of noise pollution below the surface, such as noise from ships and military activities, impede spotted dolphinsβ echolocation and communication. Their hearing is so sensitive that noise pollution can interfere with their ability to locate and capture prey and interact with their environment.
Conservation Status
- Currently, 2.5 million pantropical spotted dolphins exist worldwide. This species has a lifespan of 45 years. On the other hand, the Atlantic spotted dolphin has a shorter lifespan, 30-40 years. The population of this species is unknown.
Conservation Efforts
- To conserve both species of spotted dolphins, responsible organizations adhere to policies that protect all mammals. There is also a generic response to stranded mammals by performing immediate but still best response to rescue them. Although the Atlantic spotted dolphinβs population is unknown, both species are not considered endangered.Β
Spotted Dolphin Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about the Spotted Dolphin across 30 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching students about the Spotted Dolphin a small to medium-sized species of dolphin that is found in various temperate and tropical waters around the world.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Spotted Dolphin Facts
- Spot and Check!
- Fill Me Up!
- Face Off!
- On the Spot!
- Be Aware!
- Feed the Dolphin!
- Dolphins to Humans
- Whereβs My Home?
- Fact or Bluff
- My Own Spot!
Frequently Asked Questions
What do spotted dolphins eat?
Spotted dolphins are carnivorous and feed on small fish and squid, such as herring, sardines, and lanternfish. They are also known to feed on crustaceans and other invertebrates occasionally. Spotted dolphins use echolocation to locate prey and sometimes work together in groups to herd schools of fish into smaller areas where they can more easily catch them.
Where are spotted dolphins found?
Spotted dolphins can be found in various temperate and tropical waters worldwide, including the eastern Pacific, western Atlantic, and Indian Ocean. They typically prefer areas with warm water temperatures and can often be seen in coastal areas, as well as around offshore islands and seamounts.
How long do spotted dolphins live?
Spotted dolphins have a lifespan of around 40 years in the wild, although some individuals have been known to live as long as 55 years. They reach sexual maturity at about 8-10 years of age, and females give birth to a single calf every 2-3 years.
What are the main threats to spotted dolphins?
Spotted dolphins face several threats from human activities, including fishing, pollution, and habitat loss. They are sometimes caught in fishing nets as bycatch, resulting in injury or death. Pollution from oil spills, plastics, and other sources can also impact their health and survival, as can the destruction of their habitat from coastal development and other human activities.
How do scientists study spotted dolphins?
Scientists use various methods to study spotted dolphins, including visual surveys, photo identification, acoustic monitoring, and satellite tagging. Visual surveys involve observers scanning the water for dolphins and recording information about their location, behavior, and group size. Photo-identification involves photographing individual dolphins and using their distinctive markings to identify and track them over time. Acoustic monitoring involves using hydrophones to listen for dolphin vocalizations, which can provide information about their behavior and distribution. Satellite tagging involves attaching tags to dolphins to track their movements and behavior over extended periods.
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Link will appear as Spotted Dolphin Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, March 2, 2023
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.