
Delphinus Delphis
Description:
- There are 2 species of commons. The long-beaked and the short beaked. The long-beaked, as it’s name suggests, has a longer beak and is more muted in colour. The short-beaked has a more rounded or ‘melon’ shaped face.
- Males: measuring up to 2.3m and can weigh up to 200kg
- Females: measuring up to 1.9m and weighing less than males
- Oldest recorded common dolphin was 22 years old
- Diet varies by region and season but fish, squid and octopus make up the majority of the diet.
Breeding:
- Common Dolphins breed in summer months
- Gestation period is between 10-11 months and a single calf is born
- Calves are born tail first at approx 90cm and weigh up to 10kg
- Calves begin to eat solid food at 6 months & are fully weaned at 1 ½ years
- Calves are incorporated in to nursery group where they will swim in the middle protected by the parents