Reproduction
The females are ready to mate between the age of 5 to 13. Males are ready to mate at a later time from 7 to 15 years. Studies show that the length of the Striped Dolphin plays more of a role in when they are ready for mating than age alone. Typically, when they are about 7 feet long they are ready to mate.
There isn’t a great deal of information known about the mating habits of these dolphins. They give birth to one calf in the summer which is about 12 to 13 months after mating. The young can be up to 3 feet in length at birth. The females will typically only give birth once every 3 or 4 years. The average lifespan for Striped Dolphins is 50 to 58 years.
Conservation Status and Threats
The listing with the IUCN for the Striped Dolphin is low risk, but it is classified as conservation dependent. This means that without a conservation plan of action in place, they will move into the classification of being threatened or endangered within the next 5 years. Some of the common problems for decline in the wild including commercial fishing, loss of habitat, and these dolphins being killed for their meat.
The conservation efforts in place focus on improved fishing methods that will lower the risk of the Striped Dolphins getting caught up in their nets where they become injured or they die. Preserving habitat by reducing noise and pollution is also a key part of conservation. This is one species of dolphin that is rarely struck by boats so that isn’t a big concern. Laws to limit or prohibit killing them for meat is one avenue that can be explored.
(source:google/http://www.dolphins-world.com/)
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