Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

FIELD MARKS:
dolphinlike
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to 2.6m
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wide black V on sides
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prominent beak usually
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gregarious, in large herds
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jump and splash frequently
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compare with Striped Dolphin

Note

Body color varies between black and brownish black. The colors below the sadddle vary from tan to white.

Description

Maximum length 2.6m (8 feet). Fusiform, slender not robust. Long, well defined beak; usually black with a white tip. Tall dorsal fin can be falcate or nearly triangular; usually black with lighter grayish region of varying size near middle, tip pointed. Back is black, the belly white, and the sides yellowish tan or gray. The black of the back forms a wide V or saddle under the dorsal fin. Up close, the pattern is a crisscross of tan, yellowish tan, and white. 1 or more dark stripes from center of lower jaw to flipper.

Habitat

Offshore over outer continental shelf, often near ridges. Rarely inshore.

Range

Widely distributed in temperate, subtropical, and tropical waters. Have been reported off Nova Scotia (my home!) in summer and fall, south to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. In the Pacific, seldom north of Pt. Conception. Off southern California, peak abundance occurs in June, September through October, and January.

{In Atlantic from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to N. South America. In Pacific fro mVictoria, British Columbia to equator}

Similar Species

Most easily confused with the Striped Dolphin because of the similarity of build and behaviour. However, the Striped Dolphin is large, with two distinctive black stripes on each side that originate near the eye. The V-shaped saddle of the Common Dolphin will also help identify it.

Comments

Often associate with tuna. Can occur in herds of a thousand or more. Very active. When swimming they splash and jump frequently, often leaping clear of the water, and they ride bow waves of vessels for a very long time.

Also known as the Saddleback Dolphin, Saddleback Porpoise, Crisscross Dolphin, White-bellied Porpoise, Hourglass Dolphin (mistakenly), and Saddleback.



Copyright 1999-2003 - All Rights Reserved, By Norma Ranieri (EMail:Dolphintailz@oocities.com)



Credits

Much of the information found here has been adapted from the following sources:

"The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Fishes, Whales & Dolphins", Copyright Chanticleer Press, Inc. 1983. All rights reserved.

"The Whale-Watchers Handbook: A Field Guide to the Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of North America", by David K. Bulloch, Copyright 1993, All rights reserved.

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