spotted dolphins
Polka-dotted marine mammals
Spotted dolphins are small to medium-sized dolphins found in warm ocean waters worldwide.
The two main species—Atlantic spotted and pantropical spotted—develop dark spots on lighter undersides as they mature, with calves born unspotted.
They're known for acrobatic behavior and often swim alongside boats.
A pod of spotted dolphins surfaced near the bow.
- flippersFoot-worn swim aids
- cetaceanAquatic mammal order
- marine mammalWarm-blooded ocean dweller
- sea creatureOcean-inhabiting organism
- ocean lifeOrganisms inhabiting seas
pod · blowhole · echolocation · aquatic · dorsal fin · tropical oceans · acrobatics · spinners · deep dive · intelligent · mammals · vocalizations · maternal care · ocean pollution · social hierarchies · migration patterns · playful · whale watching