Pan-Tropical Spotted Dolphin
Scientific Name : Stenella Attenuata
- IUCN: Not Endangered/ Least Concern
- Other names: Spotters
- Swahili name: Pomboo madoto
- Length: 1.6-2.6m
- Weight: 100-120kg
- Life expectancy: 40-45 years
- Abundance: Tropical waters around the world
- Occurance: Year-round; in Kenya occasionally sighted in February
- Primary prey: Fish, squid and shrimps of smaller size
- Conservation status: Unknown, though there are concerns with fishery bycatch in many areas
- Quick key identification: Small, slender spotted dolphin with dark spots below and light spots above (sometimes appearing with none at all). Long nose with a distinctive dorsal cape starting above the eye and dipping below very narrow falcate dorsal fin. White lips. Has 34-48 slender pointy teeth in each jaws.
Usually found in offshore waters of the western Indian Ocean region. Around oceanic islands, they can occur during the day near reef complexes to rest (generally in mixed aggregations with spinner dolphins). Can be confused with Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin and spinner dolphin.
