Striped Dolphin
by Christopher Teague Photography
Stenella coeruleoalba
Common & widespread in the Bay of Biscay.
It is found in abundance in the North and South Atlantic Oceans, including the Mediterranean.
Colouring is very different and makes it relatively easy to notice at sea.
The underside is blue, white, or pink.
One or two black bands circle the eyes, and then run across the back, to the flipper.
These bands widen to the width of the flipper which are the same size.
Two further black stripes run from behind the ear — one is short and ends just above the flipper.
The other is longer and thickens along the flanks until it curves down under the belly just prior to the tail stock.
Above these stripes, the dolphin's flanks are coloured light blue or grey.