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Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)

Diputación de Málaga
Delfín común

Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)

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Animal Life > Mammals

Identification

Dolphins are mammals that have adapted to life in the sea. They have an elongated body, like a missile, ending in a flat tail fin, with a prominent dorsal fin and two other short pectoral fins. They are dark coloured on the back and of whitish colour tones on the belly. The most characteristic feature is the “hourglass” pattern that forms on its sides, with one part in yellow tones and the other one darker. They can reach more than 2 m in length and exceed 100 kg in weight. The mouth has a long snout and a dentition made up of a large number of small, sharp teeth, all the same (homodonts).

Where does it live?

They appear in tropical, temperate and cold waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, as well as in its nearby waters, as is the case of the Mediterranean Sea. It is an oceanic species, totally independent of the terrestrial environment.

How does it live?

They are animals grouped in bands of hundreds to thousands of individuals, although they can also sometimes appear in small groups. They have elaborate herd hunting strategies that allow them to catch squid and fish living in schools. They prefer hunting by night and rest during the day. The gestation of a young lasts from 10 to 11 months and the lactation period is about 4 months.

Where can we see it in the Malaga province?

Their oceanic habits make them very rare near the shore, so their sighting will depend on having a boat and sailing for a long time. On the Málaga coast, abundant populations do not have a certain habitat area, making it difficult to locate them regularly.

They are one of the species that most frequently beaches on the Malaga coast, most of the time dead. In case of a stranding, we should call 112, who will locate the CREMA rescue team (Recovery Center for Threatened Marine Species).

Curious facts

They are magnificent swimmers, reaching considerable speeds that allow them to make spectacular jumps next to the keel of fast boats. They do short dives, around 5 minutes, which allow them to reach up to 70 m deep.

It is a species listed in the National and Andalusian Inventories of threatened species, in addition to being included in the Habitats Directive and other conventions.

Similar species

The striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) is a species that due to its morphology and habits closely resembles the common dolphin, in fact, mixed herds of the two species have been observed. The most distinctive feature is "the mask" that striped dolphins have from the eye to the top of the pectoral fin.

More information