Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)
![Striped Dolphin](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161224194734im_/http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/images/cetaceans/stripeddolphin_scotthill-noaacorps.jpg)
Striped Dolphin
(Stenella coeruleoalba)
Photo: Scott Hill, NOAA Corps
![striped dolphin range map](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161224194734im_/http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/images/rangemaps/stripeddolphin.jpg)
Striped Dolphin Range Map
(click for larger view PDF)
Did You Know?
- Striped dolphins' scientific name (Stenella coeruleoalba) comes from the Latin words "caeruleus" and "albus," which mean "sky blue" and "white," respectively, referring to the animals distinct color pattern on the dorsal and lateral portions of their body.
- In the eastern tropical Pacific, striped dolphins are also called "streakers" by field biologists and fishermen because they avoid vessels by rapidly swimming away.
- Striped dolphins display a unique behavior called "roto-tailing" which is when the animal leaps high out of the water and while in the air it vigorously rotates its tail while airborne.
CITES Appendix II - all populations
Weight:
|
males: 350 pounds (160 kg) females: 330 pounds (150 kg) |
Length:
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males: 9 feet (2.7 m) females: 8 feet (2.4 m) |
Appearance:
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Their distinct and striking coloration pattern with a complex of bold thin stripes that extend from the eye to the flipper and another set of stripes down the side of the body to the anal region is the origin of their name. |
Lifespan:
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estimated up to 58 years |
Diet:
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diverse diet of schooling fish, squid, and octopus |
Behavior:
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usually found in tight, cohesive groups of about 25-100 individuals; have been observed breaching, "roto-tailing" (a circular motion using the tail while jumping out of the water), jumping, and leaping up over 20 feet (7 m) above the surface of the water |
Striped dolphins are some of the most abundant and widespread dolphins in the world. These dolphins can reach lengths of about 9 ft (2.7 m) and weigh up to 350 lbs (160 kg) for males and 8 ft (2.4 m) and 330 lbs (150 kg) for females. They have a small to medium-sized robust, sleek body with a long, defined beak and round "melon" (forehead). The "dorsal" fin is "falcate", tall, and located mid-back. Their distinct and striking coloration pattern with a complex of bold thin stripes that extend from the eye to the flipper and another set of stripes down the side of the body to the anal region distinguishes it from other cetacean species, and is the origin of its common name. The beak, tapered flipper, tail, and back, or cape, are dark blue/gray. The area just above the side stripe is bluish or light gray and creates a contrasting shoulder blaze that curves back and up toward the animal's dorsal fin. The ventral side is white to pinkish, and much lighter than the rest of the body. The markings and coloration of this species may vary by individual and geographical location. Calves and juveniles may have more muted colorations and patterns.
Striped dolphins are usually found in tight, cohesive groups averaging between 25 and 100 individuals, but have been occasionally seen in larger groups of up to several hundred and even thousands of animals. Within these schools there is a complex system of individuals that may be organized by age, sex, and breeding status. They rarely associate with other species of whales, dolphins, and seabirds. Their surface behavior is often characterized as sociable, athletic, energetic, active, and nimble with rapid swimming. They can often be observed breaching, "roto-tailing" (a circular motion using the tail while jumping out of the water), jumping, and leaping up over 20 ft (7 m) above the surface of the water.
Striped dolphins feed on a diverse diet consisting of various species of relatively small, closely-packed, midwater, "benthopelagic" and/or "pelagic" shoaling/schooling fish (e.g., "myctophids" and cod) and cephalopods (e.g., squid and octopus) throughout the water column. They are capable of diving to at least 2,300 ft (700 m). This species has 43-50 pairs of small, sharp, conical teeth in the upper and lower jaws.
Striped dolphins become sexually mature at about 7 ft (2.1-2.2 m) in length, between the ages of 5-13 years for females and 7-15 years for males. Their mating system is generally unknown, but thought to be "polygynous". They give birth to a single 3 ft (1 m) long calf during the summer or autumn after a gestation period of about one year. The interval between giving birth to calves is usually 3-4 years, and lactation lasts 12-18 months. The estimated lifespan of these dolphins is up to 58 years.
Striped dolphins prefer highly productive tropical to warm temperate waters (52-84° F or 10-26° C) that are oceanic and deep. These dolphins are often linked to upwelling areas and convergence zones.![striped dolphins](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161224194734im_/http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/images/cetaceans/stripeddolphins2_sefsc.jpg)
Striped Dolphin
(Stenella coeruleoalba)
Photo: NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center
![striped dolphin leaping about 20 feet out of the water](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161224194734im_/http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/images/cetaceans/stripeddolphin_sm_howardgoldstein-noaa.jpg)
Striped dolphin leaping out of the water
(Stenella coeruleoalba)
Photo: Howard Goldstein,
NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center,
STAR 2006
![striped dolphins](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161224194734im_/http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/images/cetaceans/stripeddolphins_sefsc.jpg)
Striped Dolphin
(Stenella coeruleoalba)
Photo: NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Striped dolphins can be taken as bycatch or interact with a number of fisheries:
- pelagic trawls
- gillnets
- driftners
- purse seine nets
- hand-harpoons
In the early 1990s more than 1,000 dolphins died in the Mediterranean Sea from a "morbillivirus epizootic", which may have been triggered by pollution (e.g., organochlorines) and fewer available prey. Environmental toxins and contaminants lower their disease immunity.
They have been subjected to drive hunts in Japan and taken in the Caribbean and Sri Lanka. During the mid-twentieth century it is estimated that as many as 21,000 animals were caught and killed each year.
This species is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended. This species is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended. Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Stenella
Species: coeruleoalba (All documents are in PDF format.)
Title | Federal Register | Date |
---|---|---|
Stock Assessment Reports | n/a | various |
- Listen to Striped Dolphin Sounds from NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center
- IUCN Striped Dolphin Species Information
- Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS-SEAMAP) Striped Dolphin Species Profile
References:
- Reeves, R. R., P. A. Folkens, et al. (2002). Guide to Marine Mammals of the World. New York, Alfred A. Knopf. p.380-383.
- Jefferson, T. A, M. A. Webber, and R. L. Pitman. (2008). Marine Mammals of the World, A Comprehensive Guide to their Identification. Amsterdam, Elsevier. p. 241-244.
- Shirihai, H. and B. Jarrett (2006). Whales, Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals of the World. Princeton, Princeton University Press. p.185-188.
Updated: January 15, 2015