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The Common dolphin
Delphinus delphis
​General description
The common dolphin is a small cetacean, characterized by a slender, robust body and a stocky rostrum. Its dorsal fin is falcate, high, pointed at its end and located in the middle of the back. The coloring of the common dolphin is characterized by a dark gray dorsal cape, with lighter tones on the ventral side. A distinctive feature of this species is the color pattern on its flanks, shaped like a yellowish hourglass that tends to gray towards the posterior part.​
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Habitat
It mainly occurs in subtropical and temperate waters, often being close to the coast, but can be present in the open sea.
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Diet
This dolphin feeds mainly on small fish in schools, but also on cephalopods such as squid. Its hunting dives reach depths between 30 and 50 meters, and it preferably hunts at night.
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Behavior
Very sociable and energetic, the short-beaked common dolphin lives in large groups, sometimes thousands of individuals. It is an acrobatic and energetic dolphin, which frequently approaches ships and likes to jump out of the water. It also forms associations with other gregarious species, such as the striped dolphin or the pilot whale, to hunt or interact.
Family : Delphinidae​​
Height (m)​​
Weight (kg)
Lifespan (years)
Sexual Maturity
(years)
Gestation
(month)
1.80 – 2.70
150 – 200
25 – 35
6 – 7
1.80 – 2.70
150 – 200
25 – 35
5 – 7
10 - 11
Global distribution of the common dolphin, adapted from Plön S, Cockroft V. 2016. "A conservation assessment of Delphinus delphis". The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
Whalewatcher's Corner
Rare
Frequent
Observation :
Main threats
Entanglement in fishing gear, such as gillnets and purse seines, can cause serious injury or death. Although bycatch is common, other threats such as habitat degradation, chemical contamination, disease emergence and overfishing put even greater pressure on some populations.
Least concern
IUCN Status :
References
- Sylvestre, Jean-Pierre. 2014. Cetaceans of the World Systematics, Ethology, Biology, Ecology, Status. Practical Guide. Éditions Quae
- Perrin, William F.. (2009). Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals || Common Dolphins. , (), 255–259. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-373553-9.00063-8
- NOAA Fisheries
- International Whaling Commision