Short-beaked common dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Size: 1.6–2.4 m · 70–110 kg
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Cathemeral
Sociality: Social
Lifespan: —

Short-beaked common dolphin is a fast offshore dolphin with a bright hourglass pattern along the flanks. Bycatch and regional prey changes are major concerns.

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Key facts

Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is a carnivore animal classified as Mammal · Artiodactyla · Delphinidae.
Primary habitats are open ocean · coast, with a range across Atlantic Ocean · Pacific Ocean · Indian Ocean.
Activity is cathemeral, sociality is social, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
Short-beaked common dolphin is a fast offshore dolphin with a bright hourglass pattern along the flanks.
It ranges widely through temperate and tropical offshore waters and outer coasts, often moving in schools.

Sources

wikidata.org

Range

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It ranges widely through temperate and tropical offshore waters and outer coasts, often moving in schools. Main habitat types in this guide are ocean, coast.

Appearance

Typical length 160-240 cm, weight 70 kg-110 kg. A slender body, short beak, yellow-gray hourglass flank pattern, and sharp dorsal fin are typical.

Behavior

It is active in repeated bouts across day and night and a social species. Large schools bow-ride, leap repeatedly, and coordinate rapid movements around prey.

Feeding

It is carnivorous. Small fish and squid are pursued cooperatively in schools.

Reproduction

Females bear single calves that swim close beside the mother.

Notes

Although still widespread in places, it remains sensitive to habitat change. Bycatch and regional prey changes are major concerns.