Scientific name: Delphinus delphis
Common local name: delfín común
The short-beaked common dolphin has the classic dolphin appearance: a
streamlined, slender body with a long, slim beak (although shorter than
that of the long-beaked common dolphin).
Their dorsal fin is triangle shaped and is almost not curved. An
hourglass pattern is located on the flanks and is yellow coloured in the
anterior part and light grey in the posterior part. The dorsal side is
dark grey and the ventral side light grey. The coloration pattern on
their head is complex and contains a dark stripe around the eyes like a
mask.
The males are slightly larger than the females, with an average length
of 1,5 – 2,5m and an average weight of 70 – 150kg, making it smaller
than the long-beaked common dolphins. The calves are about 80 - 90cm
long at birth.
These dolphins are very social animals that form groups from up to 100
individuals (groups of more than 1000 individuals have been registered
on some occasions) and can be seen in association with other dolphin
species.
The basic unit of these greater groups are smaller sub-units of around
20 animals that probably are closely related.
Short-beaked common dolphins are very active and fast animals that show
a high rate of aerial behaviour like jumps and a high vocalization rate
including series of high frequency whistles and clicks. They
have an average life span of 20 years.
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