Species Spotlight: Short-Beaked Common Dolphin
The month of March is recognized as Dolphin Awareness Month! During this month, we celebrate dolphins and spread awareness about the different threats they face. To celebrate, lets learn more about a local species of dolphin in our offshore waters, the short-beaked common dolphin!
Short-beaked common dolphins are one of the most abundant and familiar dolphins in the world! They belong to the order Cetacea, and are a member of the oceanic dolphin family, Delphinidae. This highly social and energetic species is widely distributed. They are found in the offshore tropical and temperate waters of both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Short-Beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis
The short-beaked common dolphin can be easily recognized by its color pattern.
Two short-beaked common dolphins working together to hunt prey.
Short-beaked common dolphins travel in pods or mega-pods!
Short-beaked common dolphins are incredibly agile!
Short-beaked common dolphins can dive up to approximately 1000ft!
Short-Beaked Common Dolphin
Scientific Name: Delphinus delphis
Identification: Short-beaked common dolphins are small/medium sized dolphins. They measure less than 6 feet long and can weigh about 170 pounds. Their body is sleek with a tall, triangular dorsal fin in the middle of their back. They can be identified by their unique color pattern. Their backs are a dark gray and the sides of their body are a light gray. Behind their head is a yellow/tan panel and a narrow, dark stripe extends from the lower jaw to the flipper. Their eyes stand out due to a patch of dark pigment around them.
Diet: Short-beaked common dolphins rest during the day and feed at night. They feed on schooling fish, such as mackerel and herring, and cephalopods, such as squid, that migrate towards the surface at night. They can dive to approximately 1,000 feet, but usually only have to dive to about 100 feet to catch their prey. These dolphins are also known to be cooperative feeders, working with pod mates to capture prey.
Habitat: Short-beaked common dolphins are found in the tropical and temperate waters of both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. They can be found in both coastal and offshore waters. This species of dolphin also prefers waters with underwater geologic features such as underwater ridges and seamounts where upwelling occurs. Upwelling increases the nutrient concentrations and supports higher productivity, meaning more food!
Find this Species: Here on Long Island, these dolphins are commonly seen off of the south shore during the warmer summer months when the waters are more productive! They are more commonly found in offshore waters, so keep an eye out while out boating!
Interesting Facts: Short-beaked common dolphins are very active at the water’s surface. These energetic dolphins commonly leap out of the water at high speeds, flip, and somersault in the air!
Short-beaked common dolphins have an estimated lifespan of up to 40 years.
Adult females give birth to a single calf every 2 to 3 years. Calves begin to wean after about 1 year, but remain dependent on their mother for another year or more.
Short-beaked common dolphins are usually found in large pods averaging hundreds of animals! They are occasionally seen in even larger groups, known as mega-pods, consisting of thousands of animals!
Short-beaked common dolphins are not considered endangered or threatened in the United States. Like all marine mammals, they are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
While the population is not considered endangered, they still face threats out in the ocean. Some of these threats include entanglement in fishing gear, such as gillnets, seines, trawls, trap pots, and longlines. They also continue to face the threat of being hunted by humans in certain areas.