Striped dolphins are easily recognised by the pattern on the flank: a conspicuous white 'flame-like' stripe pointing towards the dorsal fin. Although they can also be encountered closer to the coast, striped dolphins are most typically found in pelagic zones, over seabeds that can exceed 2,000 m depth. Their diet is varied, and the luminescent organs found in most of their prey suggest that they dive to depths of 500-700 m to find food.
Striped dolphins form groups of a few dozen individuals that sometimes aggregate to form pods of over 100.
This is the most widespread species in the Mediterranean, and during the summer there are an estimated 25,000 – 38,000 in the Sanctuary. If you are sailing in these waters and dolphins come swimming to the bow of the boat, they are most likely striped dolphins. Jumps, spins, and crashing falls on the surface of the water are also typical of this species. Since the beginning of the 1990s, the Mediterranean population has been the victim of Morbillivirus epidemics, resulting in the death of thousands of individuals. Autopsies of these individuals indicated high levels of toxic substances accumulated in the fat.
This is the species in which it is most difficult to recognise individuals. One possibility, however, is to analyse the notches on the posterior margin of the dorsal fin.
They are the most common cetaceans in the Mediterranean and love to be pushed by the bow wave of boats
Striped dolphins emit echolocation 'clicks' to hunt and orient themselves and whistles to communicate, seeming to be able to produce both simultaneously. They feed mainly at night, locating prey using a series of close clicks that, to our ears, resemble the sound of the 'castanets' of Spanish dancers.
