Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

Notable for their striking body patterns and acrobatic prowess.

Striped Dolphins stand out with their distinct black and grey stripes decorating their sleek, streamlined bodies. Known for their speed and agility in the water, they often engage in acrobatic displays, including high jumps and spins. These dolphins exhibit a complex social structure, typically forming large groups that can occasionally number in the hundreds. While they are known for their energetic behavior, Striped Dolphins can be quite elusive around boats, often swiftly changing direction to maintain distance. This combination of physical and behavioral characteristics makes them a fascinating subject of study in marine biology, highlighting their adaptability and social cohesion within the vast oceans.

Quick facts

Length

Male: 2,6m

Female: 2,4m

Calf: 1m

Weight

Adults: 150 kg

Calves: 15 kg

Habits

Dive Time

<15 mins

Dive Depth

<700m

Reproduction

<50 years

Life Span:

12-13 mths

Gestation period:

Physical characteristics

Group Structure

Striped dolphins are known for their dynamic group structures, typically forming large, mixed groups that can range from hundreds to several thousand individuals. These groups may further subdivide into smaller pods, containing between 10 to 100 individuals, organizing themselves into three primary cohorts: juveniles, adults, and mixed groups consisting of females with calves. Approximately 1-2 years post-weaning, juveniles transition from the mixed groups to join juvenile-specific groups. Upon reaching sexual maturity, they then integrate into adult groups. This fluid social structure allows for varied social interactions and learning opportunities, crucial for the development and survival of individuals within the species.

Dive sequence

@Georgina Cabayol

Behavior & Feeding

Socializing +

Striped Dolphins are highly social animals, often seen in large, dynamic groups that can number in the hundreds or even thousands. These groups are characterized by high levels of interaction, including acrobatics, synchronized swimming, and vocal communication, facilitating strong social bonds and coordination during feeding and migration.

Resting +

While specific details on resting behaviors are not extensively documented, Striped Dolphins, like many cetaceans, likely engage in periods of rest that allow for alertness to predators and environmental changes. They may rest in smaller, more cohesive subgroups, maintaining social contact through gentle swimming movements and vocalizations.

Foraging & Diet +

Striped Dolphins exhibit sophisticated foraging techniques, notably the creation of “fish balls,” where they encircle and compact schools of fish into dense aggregations, making it easier to feed. This tactic showcases their intelligence and cooperative hunting strategy. Their diet predominantly consists of small schooling fish, cephalopods, and some crustaceans, reflecting their opportunistic feeding habits and adaptability to available prey resources in their environment.

Predators

Striped Dolphins face predation primarily from large marine predators such as sharks (notably the Great White and Tiger Sharks), orcas (killer whales), and there is also speculation about attacks from other cetaceans like the false killer whales and pygmy killer whales. These predators target Striped Dolphins due to their size and social behavior, often isolating younger or weaker individuals from the pod. This predation pressure plays a significant role in the natural selection and behavioral adaptations of Striped Dolphins, influencing their social structures and possibly their distribution and migration patterns to avoid areas with high predator densities.

https://wwhandbook.iwc.int/en/species/striped-dolphin

Distribution & Movements

Striped dolphins exhibit a cosmopolitan distribution, thriving in both temperate and tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as many adjacent seas. Their presence becomes notably more frequent in regions where the ocean depth exceeds 1000 meters, suggesting a preference for deeper waters. Observations indicate that these dolphins may follow warmer currents, with their visibility in areas like the Azores increasing as water temperatures rise, particularly between 18-22°C. This behavior underscores their adaptability and the influence of environmental factors on their distribution and movements, highlighting a complex interaction with their habitat that facilitates their wide-ranging presence across global waters.

Reproduction & Life History

Sexual Maturity

5-15 years
Males between 7 to 15 years and females slightly earlier, at 5 to 13 years. This variance reflects their adaptation to different environmental conditions and social structures within their populations.

Gestation Period

Around 12 months
During this period, females invest significant energy into developing offspring, preparing them for life in the open ocean.

Number of Calves

A single calf is born at a time
With 0.9 to 1 meter in length and weighing approximately 7 to 11 kilograms at birth. This size indicates the calves are relatively developed, enabling them to swim and surface for air shortly after birth.

Suckling Period & Nursing

12 to 18 months
During this period they rely entirely on their mother’s milk for nourishment. This extended suckling period allows the calf to grow and develop the necessary skills for independent survival in its marine environment.

Lifespan

Up to 50 years
The record is 58 years.

Mating Strategy

Complex and competitive
The social structure of their pods and the bonds between individuals play a significant role in their reproductive strategies, ensuring the continuation of their species despite the challenges they face in the open sea.

Species in the Azores

Specimen that you can see in Azores sea

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue whales are the largest animals in the world and can easily be detected from a great distance.

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

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Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Sperm whales hold the title of largest predator on Earth eating mostly giant squids from the deep oceans.

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

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Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

The Bryde's whale live in the tropical waters, are agile filter feeders and love to perform acrobatic displays.

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

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Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

The second-largest whales, swift and streamlined ocean roamers.

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

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Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Agile mid-sized baleen whales, known for their elusive nature.

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

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Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

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Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Highly social, intelligent & deep divers.

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

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Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Elusive deep-divers known for their unique foraging behavior.

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

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Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

Third-largest whale species on Earth, fast swimmers and deep-divers.

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

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Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Noted for extraordinary deep-diving, setting mammalian records in depth and duration

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

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Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Melodic giants with acrobatic displays, known for their haunting songs and intricate social behaviors. Know more!

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

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Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

Highly social, with distinct spots and a wide range of complex behaviors and vocalizations.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

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Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

Notable for their striking body patterns and acrobatic prowess.

Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

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Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Bottlenose Dolphins are highly intelligent and social creatures, famous for their playful behavior and remarkable cognitive abilities.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

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Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

Orcas are the apex predators of the marine world, known for their distinctive black and white coloring and complex social structures.

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

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Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Large groups of common dolphins, whipping the ocean's surface into a froth, are a familiar and thrilling sight in many parts of the world.

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

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False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

Despite its name, the false killer whale belongs taxonomically to the dolphin family and it often behaves more like one of its energetic and sprightly smaller relatives.

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

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Sowerby’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon bidens

Sowerby’s Beaked Whales are elusive denizens of the North Atlantic, recognized by their slender beaks and distinctive forehead bulges.

Sowerby’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon bidens

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Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

Risso's dolphin is renowned for its heavily scarred appearance and significant size among species referred to as dolphins.

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

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Dragoeiro

Dracaena draco

Dragoeiro

Dracaena draco

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Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

Highly social, with distinct spots and a wide range of complex behaviors and vocalizations.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella Frontalis

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Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Elusive deep-divers known for their unique foraging behavior.

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

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Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Bottlenose Dolphins are highly intelligent and social creatures, famous for their playful behavior and remarkable cognitive abilities.

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

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Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Large groups of common dolphins, whipping the ocean's surface into a froth, are a familiar and thrilling sight in many parts of the world.

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

View profile

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

Noted for extraordinary deep-diving, setting mammalian records in depth and duration

Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

Ziphius cavirostris

View profile

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

Despite its name, the false killer whale belongs taxonomically to the dolphin family and it often behaves more like one of its energetic and sprightly smaller relatives.

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

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Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

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Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

Orcas are the apex predators of the marine world, known for their distinctive black and white coloring and complex social structures.

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

View profile

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Highly social, intelligent & deep divers.

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

View profile

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

Risso's dolphin is renowned for its heavily scarred appearance and significant size among species referred to as dolphins.

Risso’s Dolphin

Grampus griseus

View profile

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue whales are the largest animals in the world and can easily be detected from a great distance.

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

View profile

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

The Bryde's whale live in the tropical waters, are agile filter feeders and love to perform acrobatic displays.

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

View profile

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

The second-largest whales, swift and streamlined ocean roamers.

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

View profile

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Melodic giants with acrobatic displays, known for their haunting songs and intricate social behaviors. Know more!

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

View profile

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Agile mid-sized baleen whales, known for their elusive nature.

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

View profile

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

Third-largest whale species on Earth, fast swimmers and deep-divers.

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

View profile

Whale Watching Azores Essentials

Explore, Love, and Protect: Unveiling the essence of Whale Watching in the Azores

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Striped Dolphin

Stenella coeruleoalba

Notable for their striking body patterns and acrobatic prowess.

Quick facts

Length

Weight

Habits

Reproduction

Reproduction

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Least Concern Common and widespread, low vulnerability.

Physical characteristics

Group Structure

Dive sequence

Behavior & Feeding

Predators

Distribution & Movements

Reproduction & Life History

Sexual Maturity

Gestation Period

Number of Calves

Suckling Period & Nursing

Lifespan

Mating Strategy

Species in the Azores

Sighting frequency

Sighting frequency

BY SPECIES

Sighting frequency

BY SPECIES

Species

Departure Points

Dates

Related Scientific Articles

González, L. (2018): Spatio-temporal distribution of the order Cetacea in the Azores: relationship between biotic and abiotic variables

Specimen that you can see in Azores sea

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

Bryde’s Whale

Balaenoptera edeni

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Nothern Bottlenose Whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Pilot Whale (Long & Short-finned)

Globicephala melas | Globicephala macrorhynchus

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Blainville’s Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon densirostris

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

Sei Whale

Balaenoptera borealis

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Least Concern

Common and widespread, low vulnerability.