Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833)

Sightings in Madeira

February to May and July to September

ID characteristics

Dark upper side, greyish blaze flanks and white or pink undersides
Thin dark stripe from eye to underside of tail stock. Some variable stripes behind the eye.
Dorsal fin is tall, dark and centered in the body length
Medium, dark beak and rounded melon

Surface behaviour

Fast moving, energetic swimmer and acrobatic
Sometimes plays at the bow of boats

Distribution

Around the world from 50º North to 50º South.
Warm temperate, subtropical and tropical waters worldwide.

Social

In groups between 10 and a few hundred individuals

Diet

Fish, squid and crustaceans

Biometrics

Max length: 2.7 m
Adult weight: 90 to 150 kg

IUCN Status: Least concern
Madeira frequency status: Common

Other languages common names

GER - Blau-Weiße Delfin, Streifendelfin
FRA - Dauphin bleu et blanc, Dauphin rayé
ESP - Delfín listado, Delfín blanco y azul
SWE - Strimmig delfin
DAN - Stribede delfin
ITA - Stenella striata
NED - Gestreepte dolfijn
NOR - Stripedelfin
POL - Delfin pręgoboki
POR - Golfinho riscado