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The striped dolphin is the largest of the five relatively small dolphins in the
genus
Stenella
. Shy and wary of boats in some areas of the Pacific, and seen riding the bow waves of boats in other places, these dolphins make long, shallow leaps when porpoising. They also perform a maneuver called "roto-tailing." Leaping high, they twist their tails vigorously several times before reentering the water. Large schools of several hundred animals have been seen, but groups of fewer than 200 are more common. There are several kinds of groups. Mature animals, between seven and fifteen years old, form sexually mixed groups and breed. Males then leave and join male-only group while the females go through pregnancy and calving in their own groups. After a year or two, offspring are mature enough to separate from their mothers and join in juvenile schools.
Also known as:
Streaker, Blue-white Dolphin
Sexual Dimorphism:
Males are slightly longer than females.
Length:
Range: 1.8-2.5 m
Weight:
Range: 110-156 kg
References:
Meyen, F.J.F., 1833. Beiträge sur Zoologie gesammelt auf einer Reise um die Erde Saugethiere, 16:610.
Nova Acta Academiae Caesareae Leopoldino-Carolinae
, 16:551-610.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
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Phylum Chordata 
Class Mammalia 
Discover Life
World Register of Marine Species 
