Delphinus delphis (Common Dolphin)
Common dolphins are summer visitors recorded in Hebridean waters between May and October, when food is most abundant.There has been an apparent increase in common dolphin numbers in the Hebridean waters in recent years.
Additional Information
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit
Convention on Migratory Species, Small Cetaceans Agreement, Baltic, NE Atlantic, Irish and North Seas
Convention on Migratory Species, Appendix 2
EC CITES Annex A
Bern Convention Appendix 2
EU Habitats Directive Annex 4
Scottish Biodiversity List of species of principal importance for biodiversity conservationScottish Biodiversity List
The common dolphin is among the most colourful of cetaceans. Its slender body is characterized by a well defined hour-glass pattern on the flanks. A yellow panel is present on the front and a grey one at the rear. A black cape forms a characteristic point on the flank, level with the dorsal fin. The belly is white and back black. Full-grown adults are 2-2.5 m long and calves 0.8 m long. The head has a black eye patch and there is a black stripe running from the corner of the mouth to the flipper. The beak is black or may be pale-tipped. Each half of both jaws contains 40-61 teeth.
Identifying features
Slender body with clearly demarcated black or pale-tipped beak.
40-61 teeth in each half of both jaws.
Head with black eye patch and black stripe running from corner of mouth to flipper.
Well defined hour-glass pattern on flanks with yellow panel at front and grey panel at rear, a black cape and white belly.
Dorsal fin black to almost white and about 40 cm in height.
This highly gregarious species lives in pods of several hundreds to thousands of animals, depending on the time of day and time of year. Some observations suggest that permanent social units contain fewer than 30 dolphins. Delphinus delphis usually travels at 10 km/hr but is capable of reaching more than 40 km/hr. The common dolphin is highly vocal, producing clicks for echolocation, whistles for group coordination and various other sounds. This species is often seen breaching and somersaulting out of water and riding the bow waves of ships. It can dive to 280 m and remain submerged for 8 minutes. However, they usually remain below the surface for between 2 seconds and 2 minutes.
Judith Oakley 2008. Delphinus delphis. Short-beaked common dolphin.
