Spinner dolphin  (Stenella longirostris)

The spinner dolphin inhabits most tropical waters of the world, and can also occur in sub-tropical and warm temperate waters (2), approximately between 30 to 40°N and 20 to 30°S (5). At present, four subspecies are recognised (6) (7): S. l. longirostris (Gray's spinner dolphin), which occurs in all tropical seas; S. l. orientalis (Eastern spinner dolphin), found in open waters of the eastern tropical Pacific; S. l. centroamericana (Costa Rican or Central American spinner dolphin), which inhabits continental shelf waters off western Central America and southern Mexico (6); and S.l. roseiventris, (dwarf spinner dolphin) which inhabits shallow waters of Southeast Asia (7).

The spinner dolphin is typically thought of as a tropical high seas species, but it also inhabits shallow reef areas, coastal areas, and subtropical and warm temperate waters (5) (7).