Included in this classification was the similar Atlantic Spotted Dolphin, which, after a review of the differences, is now known as the separate species Stenella frontalis . The Pantropical Spotted Dolphin is so named because it can be found all across the world. This dolphin has a slender yet robust body with a long narrow beak. On the upper side, there is a dark grey dorsal cape with all dorsal fin, and on some animals there is a distinct band of mid-grey along each side from melon to tail. The undersides are pale grey with dark spots.
Light spots cover the darker areas of the body.
There is a dark band between the lower jaw and the flippers, which are also dark grey in colour. The lips are white, and the dark grey of the upper jaw extends to the eye. There is an average of 40 pairs of teeth per jaw. They are active at the surface, and have been observed bowriding, leaping to great heights, porpoising, and lobtailling. They produce short 'whistle bursts' of less than a millisecond in duration.