Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Mammals of Alabama)

Short-beaked Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Summary ⁷

The short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is a species of common dolphin. It has a larger range than the long-beaked common dolphin (D. capensis), occurring throughout warm-temperate and tropical oceans, including the Indian Ocean although in smaller quantities than other places they are found. There are more short-beaked common dolphins than any other dolphin species in the warm-temperate portions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is also found in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. The...

Taxon biology ⁸

Short-beaked common dolphins hunt in groups of ten to ten thousand animals. They can reach speeds up to 45 kilometers per hour. They are also attracted to ships and like to play in their bow waves. Short-beaked common dolphins live in oceans; they aren't often seen swimming close to shore, usually preferring water no shallower than 200 meters. Nevertheless, they are occasionally seen in the Dutch section of the North Sea. Short-beaked common dolphins are the most common dolphin species in the region of the Mediterranean Sea. Pictures on ancient Greek vases show that it's been that way for centuries.