Stenella longirostris, commonly known as the spinner dolphin, is a small cetacean known for its acrobatic displays and is found in off-shore tropical and subtropical waters around the world
Spinner dolphins are famous for their spinning behavior, where they leap out of the water and spin along their longitudinal axis as they airborne. They can make up to seven spins in one leap. These dolphins have an unusual way of sleeping. They shut down only one half of their brain along with the opposite eye while the other half of the brain stays awake. This allows them to continue breathing consciously and to watch for predators and obstacles.
In Hawaiian culture, dolphins are considered 'aumakua, or protective spirits, and ancestors reincarnated as animals. Locals often regard spinner dolphins with great respect and affection, seeing them as guardians of the sea. The spinner dolphin was first described by John Gray in 1828. Its species name, longirostris, comes from Latin and means 'long beak', referring to its distinctively long, slender snout.
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