Spinner Dolphins

Spinner dolphins are named for their amazing spinning leaps out of the water. They can spin up to seven times in a single jump. Spinner dolphins are smaller than bottlenose dolphins. They live in warm tropical oceans around the world.

Spinning in the Air

Spinner dolphins launch themselves out of the water and twist their bodies rapidly. They can spin up to seven times before splashing back down. Scientists think they spin to remove parasites from their skin. The spinning may also be a way to communicate with other dolphins.

Nighttime Hunters

Spinner dolphins rest in shallow bays during the day. At night, they swim out to deeper water to hunt. They eat small fish and squid that come up from the deep ocean at night. Spinner dolphins often hunt in large groups, working together to find food.

Fun Facts

• A spinner dolphin can spin up to 7 times in a single leap.
• Spinner dolphins can leap up to 10 feet out of the water.
• They rest in shallow bays during the day and hunt in deep water at night.

Did You Know?

Spinner dolphins live in some of the largest dolphin pods in the world! A single group can have over 1,000 dolphins swimming and spinning together.