Males do not reach sexual maturity until their 12th year. There is evidence of year round mating, and gestation is between 11 and 12 months long. Calves are normally born in May and September. There have been some observations of pods segregated by reproductive status as well as sex and age. They live in close knit groups called pods, that involve complex social organization with individual recognition and bonding.
Pods range in size from a few dolphins to several thousand in offshore regions.
Generally pods consist of less than 50 individuals. Atlantic spotted dolphins often school with other species, such as spinner dolphins. The pods of S. frontalis vary in make-up. Segregation by age, sex, and reproductive status has been observed. The Atlantic spotted dolphin is a vigorous swimmer, quite active at the surface doing forward flips and hurling itself into the air.