Figure 123. — A spinner dolphin jumping 

 close beside a research vessel off the Virgin 

 Islands. The distinctive color pattern (gray 

 on the back, tan on the sides, and white on 

 the belly) is clearlvvisible. The black-tipped 

 rostrum and the black lips are key 

 characters to this species. {Photo by C. 

 McCann. ) 



reported from Venezuela. They are said to be the most 

 abundant dolphin species from the southeastern Caribbean. 

 Some Pacific spinner dolphins are distributed in oceanic 

 zones. Atlantic spinners may be abundant in offshore tropical 

 waters as well. 



Stranded Specimens 



Stranded spinner dolphins are most readily identified by 

 the extremely long rostrum and the 46-65 teeth, far more 

 than any other species of dolphin. Note that the striped 

 dolphins may have from 43 to 50 teeth per side in each jaw. 

 However, striped dolphins are decidedly larger (to about 9 

 feet [2.7 m]), have a shorter beak, and are distinctly marked 

 with dark stripes from the eye to the flipper, from the eye to 

 the anus, and from the area behind the dorsal fin forward, 

 towards but not reaching the head. 



Saddleback dolphins also have from 40 to 50 teeth on each 

 side but are also easily distinguishable by the differences in 

 coloration discussed above for living animals at sea. 



Figure 124.— Spinner dolphins are active bow 

 riders and may stay with a vessel for long periods of 

 time. {Photo from off the Virgin Islands by H. E. 

 Wirm.) 



Ill 



