They usually do this when moving in groups after resting. Spins. Nobody knows for sure why spinner dolphins spin. We don’t know for sure but we think they spin for a number of reasons: Since much spinning occurs following the dolphins’ rest-time, it could be a type of work-out to get their muscles flexed and blood flowing again ready to hunt. Spinner dolphins live in large pods from a few dozen to a thousand or more in tropical and subtropical zones around the world. Some experts theorize that the dolphins spin to intimidate other large mammals that may be nearby. Spinner Dolphins are famous for their acrobatic displays in which they will spin longitudinally along their axis as they leap through the air. Spinner Dolphins tend to do most of their hunting at night as the ‘scattering layer’ of marine life, which has spent the day at depths of 3000 feet, rises toward the surface to feed on microscopic plant material. This dolphin jumps out of the water and spins a bunch of times in the air before crashing back into the sea. The spin is initiated under the surface of the water and once they break the surface the torque of the spin is no long in balance causing them to increase their spin. Dolphin pods rely on socialites to keep them together. A dolphin can make two to 5.5 spins in one leap; the swimming and rotational speed of the dolphin as it spins underwater affects the number of spins it can do while airborne. This dolphin jumps out of the water and spins a bunch of times in the air before crashing back into the sea. Spinner Dolphins congregate in groups that vary from just a few dolphins to great schools numbering in the thousands. it is on their name as well. 8 years ago. They use 'tail slaps' to inform conspecifics of a threat or as a signal to a dive. Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) INFORMATION AND CHARACTERISTICS. Most Spinner Dolphins have white bellies. One interesting hypothesis holds that the spinners leap to shake off irritating remora fish. They concluded the speed of the spin rotation and the position of the body during re-entry could produce the force to dislodge those pesky remoras. Their diet is composed of fish, jellyfish, euphausiids (or krill), squid, shell-less snails, as well as copepods (a group of small crustaceans found in the sea and nearly every freshwater habitat). If you have had the opportunity to see a dolphin that performs incredible spins in the air and very energetic jumps in the ocean, perhaps it was a spinner dolphin, because no other species beats them in this area. Why Do Spinner Dolphins Spin? Without these individuals, the cohesion of the dolphin group may fall apart. Relevance. If looking at photographs of spinning dolphins, one will find a remora attached to the spinner in about 70% of the photos. This may mean that capturing wild dolphins for marine parks could have a serious impact on their companions left behind. because they are a underwater creature and that is their habit. Spinner dolphins are aptly named for their above-water actions. Why do spinner dolphins spin? I was watching The Blue Planet by David Attenborough and he briefly mentioned Spinner Dolphins but didn't mention why they jumped and spun???? This is a popular question that everyone wants to know: Why do spinner dolphins spin? In the waters around Maui, spinner dolphins can be seen daily. These spins may … You’ve probably seen this happen in nature. You’ve probably seen this happen in nature. Just as the name implies, the spinner dolphin is known for its high spinning leaps and playful antics. This is a popular question that everyone wants to know: Why do spinner dolphins spin? Spinner Dolphin Behaviour. I Love Grudge ♥♥♥♥♥♥ Lv 5. This dolphin has four subspecies of spinner dolphins known as the central american spinner dolphin, eastern spinner dolphin, Hawaiian spinner dolphin and dwarf spinner dolphin. There could be all kinds of reasons: to display dominance, to communicate their location, to hunt, or just for fun. When dolphin watching, it can be fun to speculate with your friends and family why … The spinner dolphin has a year-round breeding season After mating, the female's gestation period is about 10 to 11 months, after which a single calf about two … 1 Answer. Thus, they are known to perform ‘nose-outs’, thrusting their beak from the surface. When a group of Spinner dolphins starts picking up speed, they use head slaps, side slaps and back slaps.