The Pantropical Spotted Dolphin varies significantly
in size and colaration throughout its range.
The most significant division is between coastal and
pelagic varieties. The coastal form is larger and more spotted.

Spots are key defining characteristics in adults, though immature
individuals are generally uniformly coloured and susceptible to confusion
with the Bottlenose Dolphin. Populations around the Gulf of Mexico may be
relatively spot-free even in adulthood. In the Atlantic, confusion is possible
with the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin.

Broadly speaking the Dolphin has a long thin beak. The upper and lower jaws are
darkly coloured but are separated by thin white "lips". The chin, throat and belly
are white to pale grey with a limited amount of spots. The flanks are
separated into three distinct bands of colour — the lightest at the bottom,
followed by a thin grey strip in the middle of the flank and a dark grey back.
The tall concave dorsal fin is similarly coloured. The thick tail stock
matches the colour of the middle band.

Facts