Whales · La Saladita, Guerrero

Pantropical Spotted Dolphin

Stenella attenuata

Spanish: Delfín moteado

Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata)
Photographed by shawneen on iNaturalist

The pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) is a species of dolphin found in all the world's temperate and tropical oceans. The species was beginning to come under threat due to the killing of millions of individuals in tuna purse seines. In the 1980s, the rise of "dolphin-friendly" tuna capture methods saved millions of the species in the eastern Pacific Ocean and it is now one of the most abundant dolphin species in the world. Most often recorded in Aug, Mar, Nov.

TaxonomyMammalia › Artiodactyla › Delphinidae
Local records4 research-grade observations within about 50 km of La Saladita (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones)
Global records1,859 on iNaturalist
Recorded here2019 – 2025
Months recorded near La Saladita
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Recent local sightings

Interactive card with more photos, sounds and similar species Whales guide iNaturalist Wikipedia

Cite as: “Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata) at La Saladita”, La Saladita Field Guide, lasaladita.com/species/stenella-attenuata/, updated 2026-09-26. Observation counts and months come from iNaturalist research-grade records within about 50 km of 17.8375°N, 101.7606°W (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones); summary text from Wikipedia where present.