Dolphins

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Other Sea Animals | Whales Dolphins | Common Dolphin

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Short-beaked Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Common Dolphin photographed by Chris Cicconi

Identification
The Common Dolphin has a distinct beak. The color pattern on the side of the body is a figure "8" with the front loop tan and the rear loop gray. The back is black with the belly white. The black point directly below the dorsal fin gives the dolphin a saddle appearance and it is sometimes called the Saddle-backed Dolphin.

There is a black strip from the eye across the near edge of the beak.

The dorsal fin is tall and sometimes shows a whitish area in the center. Not seen in this photo. See bottom photo.

Common Dolphin photographed on June 28 BBC Pelagic to Atlantis Canyon by Jeff Slovin and used with his permission.

Scot Spangenberg common dolphin leaping from the water. Dolphin swim by moving the tail up and down like whales. Competitive swimmers use a kick like this when swimming butterfly or when underwater after a start. or turn. No wonder they call it the "dolphin kick".

Common Dolphin - Emmalee Tarry

How To See
Common Dolphins are more likely to be seen offshore and south of Cape Cod.

A Common Dolphin riding the bow-wave of the boat was photographed through the water by Emmalee Tarry.

The blow hole is closed because the animal is under water.

Common dolphin will ride the bow-wave of a boat. Experienced captains know how to drive the boat to encourage the dolphins to ride with the boat.

Common Dolphin photographed on June 28 BBC Pelagic to Atlantis Canyon by Jeff Slovin clearly shows the black strip from the eye across the top of the beak. Photo used with permission.

Common Dolphins feed at night and often seem to be playing in large groups during the day time. This is part of the large pod of dolphins seen on the June 28 BBC pelagic to Atlantis Canyon by Chris Ciccone.

Notice the tan strip near the head of the dolphin second from the right and the whitish area on the dorsal fin of the front two dolphin.