Costa Rica Monkey Tours

Call us Toll Free
  • Tours
  • Activities & Transportation
  • Hotels
  • Travel Agent Program
  • About Us
  • Gallery
  • BOOK NOW

Pantropical Spotted Dolphins of Costa Rica

May 15, 2015
0 Comment
Juan Sancho

The Pacific Spotted Dolphin is also known as the pantropical spotted dolphin, and it is one of the most abundant species of dolphins in the planet thanks to better fishing methods.

Distribution

From 40°N to 40°S, Pacific Spotted Dolphins are found in oceans all over the world. They inhabit pelagic and mesopelagic ocean zones at depths of 200 to 700 meters under the sea. In Costa Rica, the Pacific Spotted Dolphin can be spotted at Golfo Dulce, Corcovado National Park, Marino Ballena National Park and Piedras Blancas National Park.

Mating & Reproduction

Spotted Dolhpins reach sexual maturity at around ten years of age for females, but males reach maturity at about twelve years of age. Females produce one young (sometimes they have twins) every two to three years. Calves are generally around 80 to 90 centimeters. The calves will stay with their mother for 12 to 18 months before weaning. They will take much longer to develop into fully matured adults.

Behavior

Before tuna fishermen started employing dolphin safe tactics for catching the chicken of the sea, Spotted Dolphins were on the endangered list. Since the new dolphin safe practices are in use, Spotted Dolphins have become one of the most abundant species of dolphins found throughout the sea, and they may be observed in groups as large as 1,000 individuals or more. They regularly forage for fish and squid in the epipelagic and mesopelagic ocean zones. Dolphins often wrangle fish into schools in order to feast, and their propensity to stay around tuna is what led to their numbers going down until the 80s.

Miscellaneous Info

At the height of the purse-siene fisheries destructive practice of catching and suffocating Spotted Dolphins, the population was cut in half. The numbers have not completely rebounded, but they are much better than they had been previously.

Where to see it in Costa Rica: Golfo Dulce, Corcovado National Park, Marino Ballena National Park, Piedras Blancas National Park
Diet: fish, squid
Habitat: epipelagic and mesopelagic ocean zones, river mouths, estuaries
Size: length=2-2 ½ m weight=90-165 kg
Species: Stenella attenuata

About the Author

Social Share

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    *
    *

    Travel Guide

    • Costa Rica Travel Guide
      • Costa Rica Tours
      • Costa Rica Maps
      • Costa Rica News
      • Costa Rica Music
      • Costa Rica Hotels
      • Medical Tourism
      • Costa Rica Sports
      • Costa Rica Rafting
      • Costa Rica Wildlife
      • Costa Rica History
      • Culture in Costa Rica
      • Costa Rica Beaches
      • Traveler Questions
      • Costa Rica Airports
      • Costa Rica Nightlife
      • Costa Rica Location
      • Costa Rica Weather
      • Costa Rica Reserves
      • Costa Rica Currency
      • Costa Rica Shopping
      • Costa Rica Museums
      • Costa Rica Volcanoes
      • Costa Rica Adventure
      • Costa Rica Travel Tips
      • Costa Rica Restaurants
      • Costa Rica Destinations
      • Costa Rica National Parks
      • Things to do in Costa Rica
      • Costa Rica Vacation Packages

    Contact Us

    Toll free number from USA & Canada
    1-800-774-5228
    info@costaricamonkeytours.com
    Providers Apply here
    We are hiring Apply here

    Connect

    Costa Rica Monkey Tours

    • Privacy & Cancellation Policies
    • Costa Rica Tours
    • Hotels Costa Rica
    • Transportation in Costa Rica
    • Travel Agent Program
    • Costa Rica Travel Guide

    © 2023 - Costa Rica Monkey Tours an International Tropical Getaways S.A. Brand