Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Delphinus delphis
- Common name
- Common dolphin
- Category
- Marine mammals
- Family
- Delphinidae
- Genus
- Delphinus
- Size
- 150–270 cm
- Depth
- 0–500 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- schooling, fast-moving
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Delphinus delphis reaches 2.7 m and 200 kg. Elegant pelagic dolphin with characteristic sand-yellow X (hourglass) pattern on flanks, black back, white belly. Worldwide temperate to tropical distribution. Forms the largest dolphin schools in the world (sometimes thousands), very active at surface with jumps, bow-riding and spectacular hunts. Notable in Macaronesia, western Mediterranean, California. Electric boat encounters, pelagic diving highlights.
Photo of Common dolphin
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Common dolphin?
- Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) reaches 150–270 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Common dolphin?
- Common dolphin is found between 0–500 m deep.
- Is the Common dolphin dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Common dolphin?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Common dolphin?
- Found in: Caribbean, East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Delphinus
Other species in the family Delphinidae
- Tursiops truncatus - Common bottlenose dolphin
- Stenella frontalis - Atlantic spotted dolphin
- Globicephala macrorhynchus - Short-finned pilot whale
- Orcinus orca - Killer whale
- Globicephala melas - Long-finned pilot whale
- Tursiops aduncus - Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 137094)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 8324617)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia