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Large mammals
Common dolphin
Common dolphin · Delphinus delphis
Common dolphins captivate with their elegance, striking markings and social leaps in groups out on the open sea.
Fact file
- Size
- Adults grow up to 2.5 m long and weigh around 80 kg
- Males and females
- Females and males similar, males slightly larger
- Sounds
- Complex whistles and clicks, often audible even at the surface
- Diet
- Mainly fish, occasionally squid and crustaceans
- Offspring
- One calf every 1–3 years after a gestation period of around 10 months
How to identify Common dolphin
You can recognise common dolphins straight away by their sleek, streamlined shape and distinctive colouring. They have a dark back, pale flanks and a striking hourglass-shaped pattern along the sides, which shimmers yellowish on the belly.
At an average length of two to two and a half metres and a weight of around 80 kilograms, common dolphins look both powerful and agile. The tall, sickle-shaped dorsal fin sets them apart from other dolphin species. Don’t confuse them with the common bottlenose dolphin, which is more stocky and does not have such a strongly contrasting pattern.
More in the app
With Wildful Stories+ you also get in the app:
- general viewing tips
- one place where you can see Common dolphin
Where Common dolphin live
Discover Common dolphin on your trip.
The app shows you where and when to see wildlife along your route.
