Date: Friday, February 4, 2022 at 7:58 PM
Happy Whale Friday everyone!!
This Whale Friday we are focusing on the Spinner Dolphin
The spinner dolphins actually split into hyper specific sub species of their own based on location and differences based on location, so no singular scientific name truly fits the whole populace. The common other scientific name they are called as a full group, when hyper specification is ignored, is Stenella longirostris. Belonging to the Stellella family, otherwise known as spotted dolphins, or bridled dolphins.
Spinner dolphins are defined by how narrow and slender their bodies and long thin beak. The dorsal fin usually ranges from a slight bump to a long triangular shape. However in some males there is a possibility of a birth defect causing the dorsal fin to looks like it was stuck on backwards. The tail stock is deep with an enlarged keel, further down the tail stock, the tips of the tail fluke may be upturned. But the big identifying feature on spinner dolphins is the dark eye-to-flipper stripe alongside a dark lip. Many spinner dolphins are defined by a tripartite color pattern, with a dark grey cape, followed by light grey sides, and a white belly.
Spinner dolphins are named for their regular spinning, where they can jus no up to 7 feet out of the water and turn over 5 times to per jump. They have exceptionally large pods, having about 50 to several thousand members within them at a time. During the day they are known to sleep for hours at a time to avoid predators, and hunting primarily at night. They’re known to eat tuna and small to medium fish.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Friday!