Common dolphin

The common dolphins, formerly very widespread in the Mediterranean, owe their name to their local abundance. They usually live offshore and are particularly attractively marked.

Common dolphins hunting snipefish

Overview:

Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)

Size: 180- 230 cm

Weight: 80 – 136 kg

Prey: Fish and squid

Features: long snout, little pronounced melon, dark eye spot against light background, very dark v-shaped pattern on their back, cream to grey sides.

Common dolphins

Development:

Babies are born after a gestation period of about 9 – 11 months (at 85 – 90 cm). Common dolphins reach sexual maturity at about 170 cm after about 6 years and can live 25 – 30 years.

Behaviour and distribution:

Common dolphins are mostly seen in winter and spring near the Canary Islands. They are animals of the open ocean, where they chase fish and cephalopods. They often playfully approach the observation boats. The common dolphins swim in large groups of 50 to 500 animals, to split into smaller units when they have located food.