Atlantic Spotted Dolphin Research

10% of profits from your purchase will go directly toward the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation, to promote conservation of marine mammals and their habitats through scientific research and educational outreach.Long-term studies are critical to monitoring the health and status of marine mammal populations. Since 1991, the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation (BMMRO) has compiled an unprecedented longitudinal dataset for cetaceans in the region which has become increasingly valuable to inform about the baseline ecology and conservation of some species both locally and globally.

Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), are the more frequently seen of two different species of spotted dolphins found in the Abacos; the other species is the pan-tropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata). Spotted dolphins are not born with spots, but actually accumulate them as they mature, becoming quite mottled-looking as adults. Hence, young spotted dolphins are often confused with bottlenose dolphins, and sometimes the two species will interact, which adds to the confusion. Spotted dolphins have a more slender snout, and although they can almost reach the same length as bottlenose dolphins, they have a smaller girth and thus body weight. Atlantic spotted dolphins are a year-round resident species in the Abacos. Individuals photo-identified 20 years ago can still be seen ranging along the eastern and southwestern coasts of Abaco. They are commonly seen in groups of 20-50 dolphins in the oceanic waters where they feed on flying fish and squid, and rarely venture on to the bank. However, in the northwestern part of Little Bahama Bank this species can regularly be found along the western edge of the banks during the daytime where they come to rest and socialize.

10% of profits from your purchase will go directly toward the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation, to promote conservation of marine mammals and their habitats through scientific research and educational outreach.Long-term studies are critical to monitoring the health and status of marine mammal populations. Since 1991, the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation (BMMRO) has compiled an unprecedented longitudinal dataset for cetaceans in the region which has become increasingly valuable to inform about the baseline ecology and conservation of some species both locally and globally.

Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), are the more frequently seen of two different species of spotted dolphins found in the Abacos; the other species is the pan-tropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata). Spotted dolphins are not born with spots, but actually accumulate them as they mature, becoming quite mottled-looking as adults. Hence, young spotted dolphins are often confused with bottlenose dolphins, and sometimes the two species will interact, which adds to the confusion. Spotted dolphins have a more slender snout, and although they can almost reach the same length as bottlenose dolphins, they have a smaller girth and thus body weight. Atlantic spotted dolphins are a year-round resident species in the Abacos. Individuals photo-identified 20 years ago can still be seen ranging along the eastern and southwestern coasts of Abaco. They are commonly seen in groups of 20-50 dolphins in the oceanic waters where they feed on flying fish and squid, and rarely venture on to the bank. However, in the northwestern part of Little Bahama Bank this species can regularly be found along the western edge of the banks during the daytime where they come to rest and socialize.