Spinner and Humpback Dolphins

Spinner Dolphins

Spinner dolphins are also known as the Long Snouted Dolphin. They can be seen off the tropical waters of the Whitsundays. And often seen jumping out of the water and spinning through the air. The Spinner Dolphin is the most acrobatic of all dolphin species. The Spinner Dolphin is dark grey with dark patches in the tail and stock back and throat.

Spinner Dolphins tend to do their hunting at night as the marine life they eat comes up from the depths of the ocean. This comprises of jellyfish, squid, krill, shell fewer snails. They will usually stay in groups to hunt. Spinner Dolphins are known to dive down to around 800 feet or more in utter darkness in pursuit of food. Spinner dolphins usually occur in schools of 5-200 and are extremely sociable with their own and other species of dolphins.

Indo-Pacific (Humpbacked) Dolphin

This species inhabits the shallow coastal waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. This dolphin is robust, with a long beak, large melon, and well-rounded flippers. The dorsal fin rests on a 'hump', and the tailstock is thick with a keel. Indo-Pacific Humpbacked Dolphins are brown-grey, pale grey or pink-white on their uppersides, with a lighter underside and the presence of speckles.

They reach a maximum of 2.8m in length and weigh around 284kg. The coastal habitats and distinctive dorsal fin are characteristic of this species. Water below 20m is preferred with shallow banks and embayments, and river channels and muddied waters are also favoured.

Small groups of 3-7 are common but may congregate to form a larger group of around 25 animals. Humpback dolphins have a unique way of surfacing; the beak and often the entire head breaks the surface before the body arches tightly, making the hump and dorsal more prominent.