The Spinner Dolphin is named for its spectacular aerial spinning leaps, rotating up to seven times per axis during a single jump—a behavior thought to aid in communication and removing parasites. It rests in shallow coastal bays during the day and moves offshore at night to hunt. Large herds of spinner dolphins in the eastern tropical Pacific were tragically caught incidentally in tuna purse-seine nets for decades.
Habitat
Tropical and subtropical offshore and coastal waters
Diet
Lanternfish, squid, and small mesopelagic organisms
How common
Uncommon
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