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Species Directory

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Overview Conservation & Management Science

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Stenella frontalis

Atlantic spotted dolphin illustration

Protected Status

CITES Appendix II
Throughout Its Range
MMPA Protected
Throughout Its Range

Quick Facts

Weight
220 to 315 pounds
Lifespan
Unknown
Length
5 to 7.5 feet
Threats
Entanglement, Ocean Noise, Illegal feeding and harassment
Region
New England/Mid-Atlantic, Southeast
See Regulatory Actions
Atlantic spotted dolphin swimming in the ocean.

About The Species

Atlantic spotted dolphins are found in the tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. They usually form groups of five to 50 individuals but sometimes travel in groups of up to 200. They are fast swimmers and often “surf” in the waves created by vessels. 

Young Atlantic spotted dolphins do not have spots. As a result, they can look like slender bottlenose dolphins. Their distinctive spotted pattern starts to appear all over their bodies as they get older. 

Atlantic spotted dolphins, like all marine mammals, are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

NOAA Fisheries and its partners are working to conserve Atlantic spotted dolphins and further our understanding of this species through research and conservation activities.

Status

NOAA Fisheries estimates population size in our stock assessment reports. 

The worldwide population of Atlantic spotted dolphins is unknown. Scientists estimate that there are at least 81,000 Atlantic spotted dolphins in U.S. waters. 

To manage Atlantic spotted dolphins in U.S. waters, we have divided them into three stocks: the northern Gulf of Mexico stock, the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands stock, and the western North Atlantic stock. Based on the most recent surveys, our scientists estimate that there are about 37,000 dolphins in the northern Gulf of Mexico stock and about 44,000 dolphins in the western North Atlantic stock. The number of dolphins in the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands stock is unknown. 

Protected Status

CITES Appendix II

  • Throughout Its Range

MMPA Protected

  • Throughout Its Range

Appearance

Atlantic spotted dolphins are about 5 to 7.5 feet long and weigh about 220 to 315 pounds. They have a robust body with a tall, curved dorsal fin located midway down their back. Their beaks are moderately long. Like other cetaceans, their head has a distinctive melon, a rounded forehead that collects sounds from the environment. They have 30 to 42 pairs of small, cone-shaped teeth in each jaw.

Atlantic spotted dolphins’ color patterns vary with age and location. Young dolphins do not have any spots. Instead, they have a dark gray back with a pale white underside. This lack of spots can make young Atlantic spotted dolphins look like slender bottlenose dolphins. An Atlantic spotted dolphin starts to develop spots after its first birthday. As the dolphin matures, the spots become darker and more widespread, especially on its back. 

Behavior and Diet

Atlantic spotted dolphins are usually found in groups of less than 50 individuals but sometimes travel in groups of up to 200. In coastal waters, groups usually consist of five to 15 individuals. Within these groups, the dolphins are sometimes organized by age or sex. Atlantic spotted dolphins blow bubbles through their blowholes as one way to communicate with members of their group. They also communicate with sound. 

Atlantic spotted dolphins are often described as “acrobatic” swimmers, frequently leaping out of the water or jumping at the water’s surface. They can also swim very quickly and often “surf” in the waves created by vessels. They sometimes interact with other cetacean species, such as bottlenose dolphins.

Atlantic spotted dolphins can dive up to 200 feet and have been recorded holding their breath for up to 10 minutes. Most of their dives are less than 30 feet and last for 2 to 6 minutes. These dolphins eat small fish, invertebrates, and cephalopods (such as squid and octopi). They have 30 to 42 pairs of small, cone-shaped teeth in each jaw. Groups of dolphins often coordinate their movements to catch prey together. Individuals sometimes use their beaks to dig into the sand on the ocean bottom to catch hidden fish.

Where They Live

Atlantic spotted dolphins are found in warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical waters throughout the Atlantic Ocean. Their range includes the waters of the U.S. East Coast (Gulf of Mexico to Massachusetts), the Bahamas, Brazil, the Azores and Canary Islands, and Gabon. Warm currents such as the Gulf Stream may affect their distribution.

Atlantic spotted dolphins prefer the waters along the continental shelf (the edge of a continent below the ocean’s surface). They usually live in coastal or continental shelf waters that are 65 to 820 feet deep, but are sometimes found in deeper oceanic waters.

Lifespan & Reproduction

The estimated lifespan of Atlantic spotted dolphins is unknown. They reach sexual maturity when they are 8 to 15 years old. Females give birth to a single calf every 1 to 5 years. Mothers nurse their calves for 1 to 5 years. 

Threats

Entanglement

One of the main threats to Atlantic spotted dolphins is getting caught in fishing gear. Dolphins can become entangled or captured in commercial fishing gear such as gillnets and purse seines. These interactions can cause dolphins to be injured or killed by entanglement in the gear. 

Ocean noise

Underwater noise pollution interrupts the normal behavior of Atlantic spotted dolphins that rely on sound to communicate and echolocate. If loud enough, noise can cause permanent or temporary hearing loss. Noise interference from vessels, as well as industrial and military activities, disturbs Atlantic spotted dolphins’ feeding, communication, and orientation.

Illegal feeding and harassment

Atlantic spotted dolphins sometimes interact with different types of fishing vessels, often following them and eating discarded catch. A few Atlantic spotted dolphins have been hunted and killed in the Caribbean, South America, West Africa, and other offshore islands for food and bait.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Cetacea
Family Delphinidae
Genus Stenella
Species frontalis

What We Do

Conservation & Management

NOAA Fisheries is committed to the protection of Atlantic spotted dolphins. Targeted management actions taken to secure protections for these dolphins include:

  • Overseeing marine mammal health and stranding response.
  • Addressing ocean noise. 
  • Educating the public about Atlantic spotted dolphins and the threats they face.
Learn more about our conservation efforts

Science

Our research projects have discovered new aspects of Atlantic spotted dolphin biology, behavior, and ecology and helped us better understand the challenges that all Atlantic spotted dolphins face. Our work includes:

  • Stock assessments.
  • Monitoring population abundance and distribution. 
Learn more about our research

How You Can Help

Keep your distance

Keep Your Distance

Be responsible when viewing marine life in the wild.

Observe all dolphins and porpoises from a safe distance of at least 50 yards and limit your time spent observing to 30 minutes or less.

Learn more about our marine life viewing guidelines >

Marine Life In Distress

Report Marine Life in Distress

Report a sick, injured, entangled, stranded, or dead animal to make sure professional responders and scientists know about it and can take appropriate action. Numerous organizations around the country are trained and ready to respond.

Learn who you should contact when you encounter a stranded or injured marine animal

Report a Violation

Report a Violation

Call the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964 to report a federal marine resource violation. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days week for anyone in the United States.

You may also contact your closest NOAA Office of Law Enforcement field office during regular business hours.


Related Species

clymene dolphin illustration

Clymene Dolphin

Pantropical spotted dolphin illustration

Pantropical Spotted Dolphin

Spinner dolphin illustration

Spinner Dolphin

Striped dolphin illustration

Striped Dolphin

Management Overview

Atlantic spotted dolphins, like all marine mammals, are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In the United States, NOAA Fisheries works to protect all stocks of Atlantic spotted dolphins. 

atlantic-spotted-dolphin-NEFSC.jpg

Atlantic spotted dolphin. Photo: NOAA Fisheries.


Conservation Efforts

Overseeing Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response

We work with volunteer networks in all coastal states to respond to marine mammal strandings, including dolphins. When stranded animals are found alive, NOAA Fisheries and our partners assess the animal’s health.  When stranded animals are found dead, our scientists work to understand and investigate the cause of death. Although the cause often remains unknown, scientists can sometimes identify strandings due to disease, harmful algal blooms, vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglements, pollution exposure, and ocean noise. Some strandings can serve as indicators of ocean health, giving insight into larger environmental issues that may also have implications for human health and welfare.

Learn more about the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program

Addressing Ocean Noise

Underwater noise threatens dolphin populations, interrupting their normal behavior and driving them away from areas important to their survival. Increasing evidence suggests that exposure to intense underwater sound in some settings may cause some dolphins to strand and ultimately die. NOAA Fisheries is investigating all aspects of acoustic communication and hearing in marine animals, as well as the effects of sound on whale behavior and hearing. In 2016, we issued technical guidance for assessing the effects of anthropogenic (human-caused) sound on marine mammals’ hearing.

Learn more about ocean noise

Educating the Public

NOAA Fisheries aims to increase public awareness and support for Atlantic spotted dolphin conservation through education, outreach, and public participation. We share information with the public about the status of Atlantic spotted dolphins, as well as our research and efforts to promote their recovery. 


Regulatory History

All marine mammals, including Atlantic spotted dolphins, are protected in the United States under the MMPA. 

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents Incidental Take

Incidental Take Authorization: Scripps Institute of Oceanography Low-Energy Geophysical Survey in the South Atlantic Ocean

NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during a low-energy marine geophysical survey in the South Atlantic
  • Notice of Final IHA
  • Notice of Proposed IHA
Notice
,
Foreign
Effective
11/03/2019

Incidental Take Authorization: Skipjack Offshore Energy, LLC Marine Site Characterization Surveys off of Delaware and Maryland

NOAA Fisheries has issued an IHA Skipjack Offshore Energy, LLC (Skipjack) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization surveys offshore of Delaware in the area of the Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for
  • Notice of Final IHA
  • Notice of Proposed IHA
Notice
,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Effective
11/25/2019

Incidental Take Authorization: Low-Energy Geophysical Survey in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean

NOAA Fisheries  issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO) to incidentally harass, by Level A and Level B harassment, marine mammals during a low-energy marine geophysical survey in the
  • Notice of Final IHA
  • Notice of Proposed IHA
Notice
,
Foreign
Effective
09/12/2019

Incidental Take Authorization: Orsted Wind Power LLC Site Characterization Surveys for Renewable Energy off the Coast of New England in the Areas of

NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Ørsted Wind Power LLC (Ørsted) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to high-resolution geophysical (HRG) survey investigations
  • Notice of Final IHA
  • Notice of Proposed IHA
Notice
,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Effective
09/26/2019
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More Information

  • International Marine Mammal Conservation
  • Marine Life in Distress
  • Marine Life Viewing Guidelines
  • Marine Mammal Permits and Authorizations

Science

NOAA Fisheries conducts various research activities on the biology, behavior, and ecology of Atlantic spotted dolphins. The results of this research are used to inform management decisions for this species. 

Stock Assessments

Determining the size of Atlantic spotted dolphin populations helps resource managers determine the success of conservation measures. Our scientists collect population information and present the data in annual stock assessment reports.

Monitoring Population Abundance and Distribution

Scientists observe Atlantic spotted dolphins to record their numbers and distribution. By comparing numbers collected over multiple years, scientists can look for trends—i.e., whether the population is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable during a given period.

More Information

  • Marine Mammal Permits and Authorizations
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