Stenella

Stenella is a genus of small to medium-sized dolphins in the dolphin family Delphinidae. Members are found in warm and temperate oceans worldwide, often around continental shelves and offshore waters. The genus includes several well-known species, such as the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), and the Clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene).

They are characterized by slender bodies and a moderate to long beak. Color patterns vary: spinner dolphins are gray with lighter undersides and long beaks; pantropical spotted dolphins develop a speckled pattern with age; striped dolphins display a pale longitudinal flank stripe; clymene and other species have distinctive pale slashes along the sides.

Ecology and behavior: Stenella species form social groups ranging from small pods to large aggregations and are highly social, often traveling with other dolphin species. They feed mainly on small fish and squid, using cooperative foraging in some populations. They are known for rapid swimming and acrobatic displays, with spinner dolphins in particular undertaking spinning leaps during travel or excitement.

Reproduction and life history: females give birth to calves after roughly 11–12 months of gestation; calves are nursed for many months, and individuals reach sexual maturity after several years, with exact ages varying by species.

Conservation: statuses vary by species and population. Most Stenella species are listed as Least Concern or Near Threatened by the IUCN, though certain populations face threats from bycatch, pollution, and habitat disturbance.