Striped Dolphin
Striped Dolphin
Stenella coeruleoalba
CommonDelphinidaeHarmless
ID points
- Several fine dark blue stripes run from the eye to the vent
- Dark blue back and pure white belly with a wavy border
- Leaps very high out of the water with agile moves
Basics
- Family
- Delphinidae
- Length
- 1.8–2.5 m
- Depth
- 0-700 m
- Regions
- Indo-Pacific reefs · Caribbean & W. Atlantic · Temperate & polar · Open ocean
- Distribution
- Tropical and temperate waters worldwide
- Habitat
- Deep offshore waters
- Diet
- Small fish and squid
Easily confused with
Common DolphinAn hourglass patch of cream and pale grey on the flank
Chinese White DolphinAdults pinkish white, calves dark grey, paling with age
OrcaSharply black and white, with a white oval patch behind the eyeFun fact
Famous for its acrobatic leaps, it can clear the surface by as much as 5 metres and spin in mid-air, which has earned it the title of gymnastics champion of the sea.