| Diagnosis |
Spinner dolphins have various forms depending on their geographical locations. Commonly, these are small and slender animals that have a relatively long slender beak. It has a tripartite coloration which consists of a dark grey dorsal cape, lighter grey lateral field and a white or very light ventral field. A dark band runs from the eye to the flipper, bordered above by a thin line. It has a clearly discernible contrast of cape with the lateral field and a smooth curve on the ventral margin of cape over the eye. The ventral white field extends dorsal variably nearly to level of eye; margin speckled; genital and axillary areas confluent. It also has a high to medium contrast between flipper band and gular region wherein variable spots are visible. Its flippers are dark or speckled. In adult males the dorsal fin is falcate to triangular and has a small to medium protuberant ventral keel. |