<Li> S. l. roseiventris </Li> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Spinner Dolphin range </Td> </Tr> <P> The spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) is a small dolphin found in off - shore tropical waters around the world . It is famous for its acrobatic displays in which it spins along its longitudinal axis as it leaps through the air . It is a member of the family Delphinidae of toothed whales . </P> <P> The spinner dolphin is sometimes referred to as the long - snouted dolphin, particularly in older texts, to distinguish it from the similar Clymene dolphin, which is often called the short - snouted spinner dolphin . The species was described by John Gray in 1828 . The four named subspecies are: </P>

Where do spinner dolphins get their name from