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| Distribution |
In NC waters, presumed to occur from NC to SC, from the Gulf Stream and beyond. However, the known strandings are just for the northern half of the coast -- Currituck and Dare counties.
This is another dolphin that occurs in oceans worldwide, in tropical to warm temperate waters. |
| Abundance |
A common species within its overall range. In NC waters, it is very rarely noted, and is at best called rare. For example, Webster et al. (1995) noted that only two Spinner Dolphins had stranded along the NC coast; the NOAA website mentions two more that stranded on the NC coast in 2001. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History mammal collections (2021) lists just seven stranding records for NC. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
The known stranding records all fall between early December and mid-late March, clearly suggesting its main occurrence in NC waters is during the winter and spring seasons only. Should occur throughout the year, but as all strandings are for the cooler months, and from the cooler waters of the state -- i.e., only from Currituck and Dare counties, this species is certainly not a warm-water species along or close to the NC coast, despite a global range that says otherwise. |
| Habitat |
Occurs in deep, warm waters, mainly beyond the Continental Slope, at least elsewhere in its range, but in NC seems to be found mostly in the cooler waters. |
| Behavior |
This is a long and slender dolphin, and it is well known to perform remarkable spinning launches from the water, twisting on its long axis several times before hitting the water. They occur in large groups, often with other species. |
| Comments |
Despite this being a common and well-known species over much of its range, it is hardly ever seen on boat trips off NC, perhaps because it occurs in such deep waters. This deep-sea range might be a reason for the very few strandings. |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S1S2M |
| State Status |
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| Global Rank |
G5 |
| Federal Status |
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| subspecies |
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| other_comName |
Long-snouted Spinned Dolphin |
| synonym |
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