Pantropical Spotted Dolphin. Credit: Marie C. Hill
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin. Credit: Marie C. Hill
About the Species
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin. Credit: Marie C. Hill
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin. Credit: Marie C. Hill
Pantropical spotted dolphins are found in all tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. These relatively small dolphins are quite social and often associate with other dolphin species, including the rough-toothed dolphin, short-finned pilot whale, and spinner dolphin.
The tuna purse-seine fishery depleted the pantropical spotted dolphin population in the eastern tropical Pacific, and the northeastern offshore stock in the eastern tropical Pacific is considered depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). All pantropical spotted dolphins are protected under the MMPA.
NOAA Fisheries is committed to conserving and protecting pantropical spotted dolphins. Our scientists and partners use a variety of innovative techniques to study, learn more about, and protect this species.
Population Status
NOAA Fisheries estimates population size for each stock of pantropical spotted dolphin in its stock assessment reports. The Pacific northeastern offshore spotted stock is considered depleted under the MMPA.
Appearance
Pantropical spotted dolphins are relatively small, reaching lengths of 6 to 7 feet and weighing approximately 250 pounds at adulthood. They have long, slender snouts or beaks. Like the Atlantic spotted dolphin, pantropical spotted dolphins do not have spots at birth but accumulate them as they age until they are almost completely covered with overlapping spots. They are also distinguished by a dark cape or coloration on their backs—stretching from their head to almost midway between the dorsal fin and the tail flukes—and by a white-tipped beak.
Behavior and Diet
Pantropical spotted dolphins usually occur in groups of several hundred to 1,000 animals. They are considered quite social, often grouping with other dolphin species. Although their specific migratory patterns have not been clearly described, they seem to move inshore in the fall and winter months and offshore in the spring.
Pantropical spotted dolphins spend most of their day in shallower water between 300 and 1,000 feet deep. At night, they dive into deeper waters to search for prey. They feed primarily on mesopelagic cephalopods and fish.
Where They Live
Pantropical spotted dolphins can be found in all tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. The depleted northeastern offshore spotted dolphin stock inhabits the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, far out at sea. Coastal spotted dolphins are found within 100 miles of the coast. In addition, a Hawaiian stock occurs throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
In the Hawaiian archipelago, there are genetically distinct populations of pantropical spotted dolphins found between Hawaiߵi Island, Maui Nui, Oߵahu, and offshore. Animals from each population can travel 120 to 300 miles offshore, but they are generally found closer to the islands.
In the Northwest Atlantic Ocean sightings north of Cape Hatteras have been along the continental slope while in waters south of Cape Hatteras and in the Gulf of America sightings have been recorded in deeper offshore waters.
Lifespan & Reproduction
The maximum lifespan for pantropical spotted dolphins is 46 years. Maturity occurs around age 11. Mating and calving occurs year-round, with gestation lasting around 11 months. Lactation usually lasts 2 years, but it may be as few as 1 year. At 3 to 6 months old, however, calves will begin eating solid food. Calving intervals depend on the population, but they range from 2.5 to 4 years.
Threats
Entanglement
One of the main threats to pantropical spotted dolphins is becoming entangled or captured in commercial fishing gear. Entanglement is particularly threatening for the northeastern offshore spotted dolphin stock in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Some species of tuna are known to aggregate beneath groups of northeastern offshore spotted dolphins in the eastern tropical Pacific. This close association led to the fishing practice of encircling a spotted dolphin group to capture the tuna concentrated below, to the detriment of the dolphin population, which were incidentally caught as bycatch in the nets.
Illegal Feeding and Harassment
Because pantropical spotted dolphins are common and abundant throughout the Hawaiian archipelago (where they are the second most frequently sighted species during nearshore surveys), interactions with people are a growing issue for the Hawaiian stock. Illegal feeding and harassment of these dolphins have been reported.
Hunting
Pantropical spotted dolphins are hunted for food in Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and parts of the Pacific.
Scientific Classification
| Animalia |
Chordata |
Mammalia |
Cetacea |
Delphinidae |
Stenella |
attenuata |
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 03/06/2025
