Mammals Active day and night

Clymene Dolphin

Stenella clymene

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A rare Atlantic exclusive, the Clymene dolphin is the only marine mammal known to have evolved through hybrid speciation. Famous for its acrobatic spins and distinctive facial 'mustache,' this deep-water beauty is a crown jewel for ocean observers.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length of 1.7 to 2 metres (5.6 to 6.6 feet); weight ranges from 75 to 90 kg (165 to 200 lbs)

palette

Colors

Tri-partite shading with a dark grey dorsal cape, light grey flanks, and a white or pinkish belly; features a black 'mustache' on the rostrum

visibility

Key Features

Distinct black 'mustache' marking on the upper snout
Short, stubby rostrum compared to other Stenella species
Tri-tone color pattern with a dipping grey cape
Frequent aerial spinning and breaching behavior

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern Active day and night

brightness_5

Peak hours 10 PM - 3 AM (feeding), 9 AM - 12 PM (socializing)

calendar_month

Season Year-round

restaurant

Diet Small mesopelagic fish (especially lanternfish), squid, and various species of shrimp found in the deep-sea scattering layer.

park

Habitat Deep offshore pelagic waters, typically found beyond the continental shelf in tropical and subtropical zones.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Clymene Dolphin Live?

The Clymene dolphin is found exclusively in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Its range extends from the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico down to southern Brazil, and across to the western coast of Africa from Mauritania to Angola. These dolphins are true oceanic wanderers, preferring deep-water environments far from the coastline.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

8 Countries

55M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States BR Brazil MX Mexico Angola SN Senegal GH Ghana Bahamas Mauritania

eco

iNaturalist / Verified observation data

View on iNaturalist open_in_new

Explore more Mammals arrow_forward

Behavior

Clymene dolphins are highly social and energetic marine mammals, typically traveling in pods that range from 50 to over 200 individuals. They are renowned for their aerial acrobatics, particularly their ability to leap from the water and spin on their longitudinal axis. While this behavior is similar to the Spinner Dolphin, the Clymene's spins are generally less frequent and slightly less complex. They are a curious species, often approaching vessels to bow-ride, providing excellent observation opportunities for those in offshore waters.

These dolphins are primarily nocturnal hunters, spending their daylight hours resting or socializing in deep waters before moving closer to the surface at night to feed. They are known to be communal and are occasionally spotted in mixed-species schools alongside Common Dolphins or Spinner Dolphins. Because they are deep-water specialists, their interactions with humans are largely limited to encounters with offshore boaters and researchers.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

Capturing the Clymene dolphin requires a specialized approach since they are deep-water residents. For those with coastal properties overlooking deep trenches or boat-based setups, use a high-speed trigger camera with a polarized lens filter. This filter is essential to cut through the ocean's surface glare, allowing the AI to better distinguish the dolphin's unique tripartite color pattern and 'mustache' marking. Mount your camera at a slight downward angle, roughly 10-15 feet above the water line, to capture the best angle of their frequent leaps and spins.

While you can't 'bait' dolphins in the traditional sense, they are naturally attracted to the pressure waves of moving vessels. If using a mobile camera rig on a boat, set your AI to trigger on 'fast motion' or 'splashes.' The best time for clear photography is mid-morning when the sun is high enough to illuminate the water but not yet creating a blinding overhead reflection. In the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean, the water clarity often allows for stunning shots if your camera is housed in a waterproof gimbal-stabilized unit.

For the most consistent results, focus your monitoring during the summer months when sea states are generally calmer. Rough water makes it difficult for AI models to differentiate a dorsal fin from a whitecap. Adjust your shutter speed to at least 1/2000 of a second to freeze the action during a 360-degree spin. If you are using a fixed offshore platform or buoy-mounted camera, ensure the lens is treated with a hydrophobic coating to prevent salt spray from blurring your shots.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Clymene Dolphin.

Spinner Dolphin

Features a significantly longer, thinner rostrum and lacks the black 'mustache' marking found on the Clymene.

Striped Dolphin

Lacks the tripartite shading of the Clymene, instead featuring a distinct blue or black stripe running from the eye to the flipper.

Browse all Mammals arrow_forward

Frequently Asked Questions

Clymene dolphins are active day and night, but their most energetic feeding behavior occurs after dark when they hunt mesopelagic prey. Socializing and acrobatic 'spinning' are most frequently observed during daylight hours.

Since these are deep-sea dolphins, they won't visit a standard backyard. However, they are highly attracted to the bow wakes of offshore boats and can be spotted from coastal vantage points that overlook deep ocean drop-offs.

Their diet consists of small deep-sea fish, squid, and crustaceans that rise toward the surface at night as part of the ocean's vertical migration.

No, they are strictly pelagic mammals found in deep water. You are unlikely to see them from a typical suburban beach unless the location is near a very steep continental shelf edge.

Look at the snout; the Clymene dolphin has a much shorter rostrum with a black 'mustache' on top, whereas the Spinner dolphin has a longer, thinner beak and a more uniform grey cape.

Record Clymene Dolphin at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo