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The striped dolphin
Stenella coeruleoalba
​General description
The striped dolphin is distinguished by its slender, spindle-shaped and robust body. Its rostrum is of medium length, and its melon is slightly bulbous. The dorsal fin, high and central, is falcate or triangular. Its coloring is characteristic of the species: its dorsal cape is dark gray, its sides are lighter and its ventral side is white. Two dark bands mark its body: one extends from the rostrum to the anal region, while the second connects the eyes to the pectorals. There is also a dark, sickle-shaped spot extending from the base of the dorsal fin towards the head.
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Habitat
This cosmopolitan dolphin prefers tropical, subtropical and warm temperate waters. Pelagic, it evolves in the open sea, its dives last on average between 5 and 10 minutes and it can descend to depths of up to 700 meters.
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Diet
The striped dolphin hunts cephalopods (squid), fish and crustaceans by diving.
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Behavior
Gregarious, these dolphins live in groups of 10 to 30 individuals on average, although sometimes a group can expand to several hundred individuals. They are true acrobats, able to perform spectacular jumps several meters above the surface. It practices a unique behavior, called roto-tailing, which consists of rotating its tail in a circular fashion when it is out of the water. They are fast and swim at speeds around 30 km/h. Sociable, they frequently interact with other cetaceans, such as the common dolphin.
Family : Delphinidae​​
Height (m)​​
Weight (tons)
Lifespan (years)
Sexual Maturity
(years)
Gestation
(month)
1.80 - 2.30
110 - 115
< 58
7 - 15
1.80 - 2.30
110 - 115
< 58
5 - 13
12
Global distribution of the Striped Dolphin, adapted from Plön et al. (2016). A conservation assessment of Stenella spp. The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
Observations in the Lesser Antilles (CCS)
Main threats
Entanglement in fishing gear, such as gillnets, can cause serious injury or death. Although bycatch is common, another significant threat is noise pollution, caused by human activities such as maritime traffic, disrupting their communication and behaviors.
Least concern
IUCN Status :
References
[1] Sylvestre, Jean-Pierre. 2014. Cetaceans of the world Systematics, ethology, biology, ecology, status. Practical guide. Éditions Quae.