common dolphin

	Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) Geographic distribution Common dolphins were abundant in the Mediterranean Sea until the late 1960s, their decline occurred relatively quickly. Today common dolphins remain relatively abundant only in the west area of the Mediterranean (Alboràn Sea), with a few records in Algeria and Tunisia, around the Maltese islands and in the Aegean Sea. Characteristics Common dolphins are colourful, with a complex colour pattern on the side. The back is dark gray from the top of the head to the tail. The flanks are light grey behind the dorsal fin and tan forward of the dorsal fin. Its belly is white. There are large dark circles around the eyes. Common dolphins can reach lengths of 2.5 m and weigh of 135 kg. Reproduction The common dolphins eat squid and small fish. Like other dolphin species, the common dolphins often eat fish escaping from the nets or discarded by the fishermen.





Behaviour Sexual maturity is reached at 3 to 4 years of age. Gestation period is 10 to 11 months. Common dolphins are usually seen in large herds of hundreds. They are extremely active, fast moving and often ride waves of boats. Common dolphins can be frequently seen in association with other marine mammal species. Influence of man The rapid decline in common dolphin number is the result of reduced availability of prey (caused by overfishing and habitat degradation) and of pollution. The greenhouse effect has also contributed to its decline . Turkish and Russian fishermen used to catch many common dolphins in the Black Sea for meat (to be used for fish meal) and oil, now the fishery stopped. Competition with the striped dolphin is one of the possible causes of the common dolphin’s decline in the Mediterranean. In 2003 the Mediterranean common dolphin was listed as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals.