There are two currently recognized species of Spotted Dolphin: The Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata) – found in temperate and topical waters around the world – and the slightly larger Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis) – found, as you may imagine, in the tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

The geography of these species’ common names isn’t the only thing they get right. Turns out both species of spotted dolphin also have spots! Mostly. Calves of both species are typically born spotless and develop the spots they’re known for as they mature. There is a population of the Pantropical spotted dolphin in the Gulf of Mexico where even the adults are relatively spot-free, but we’re not going to talk about them.

Since their common names seem pretty “spot on” let’s investigate their scientific names. Both species are found in the same genus, Stenella, a Latin version of the Greek word for “narrow.” – likely in reference to the long and narrow beaks that are characteristic of all members of this genus.

As for the species names, the Pantropical spotted dolphin’s attenuata comes from the Latin for “tapered” – also in reference to their sharp-looking beaks – and the Atlantic spotted dolphin’s frontalis comes from the Latin for “forehead” – probably in reference to their well-defined melon.

Either way, it looks like these species’ names are pretty “on the nose,” or at least on the head.