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Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Common dolphins are energetic acrobats and one of the fastest of all cetaceans. They can reach a maximum speed of 65 km/h. These dolphins have 80-120 small conic teeth in each jaw, with which they can hold their slithery prey.

  • Presence in the Strait of Gibraltar: all year round
  • Other names: short-beaked common dolphin, saddleback dolphin, criss-cross dolphin, hourglass dolphin, cape dolphin, common porpoise, white-bellied porpoise
    • common dolphin

    Interesting Facts

    Suborder: toothed whales
    Family: Delphinidae (dolphins)
    Size: 1.7–2.4 m
    Weight: 130 kg
    Diet: fish, squid; 10 kg/day
    Status: Mediterranean population critically endangered

    Distinguishing Features

    • dark back
    • hourglass-shaped pattern on the sides (yellowish in front, grey in the back)
    • white belly
    • falcate or triangular dorsal fin
    • flukes with concave trailing edges and slight notch

    Photos

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    Common Dolphins
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