Long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis)

Long-beaked Common dolphins in Santa Monica Bay.
Photograph by Cybele May. Some rights reserved. (view image details)

Long-beaked Common Dolphin | Delphinus capensis photo

Long-beaked Common dolphins in Santa Monica Bay.
Photograph by Cybele May. Some rights reserved. (view image details)

LONG-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN FACTS

Description
The Long-beaked Common Dolphin is similar in appearance to the Short-beaked Common Dolphin but has longer beak. It is black or dark brown with white or cream underside. The flippers are the same color as the back (black or dark brown). There is a pale marking along the side that separates the dark back from white underside. This band is yellowish tan on front half of body and pale gray on the back half of the body forming an hourglass or cross-hatch pattern. The dorsal fin that is triangular.

Size
Length: males 2m - 2.5m; females 1.9m - 2.2m

Environment
close to shore in tropical and temperate waters. Swims in schools of up to 200 or more.

Food
fish, squid and octopus

Breeding
Single young is born (rarely twins or triplets) after gestation of 10 to 12 months.

Range
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Short-beaked Common Dolphin is usually found offshore while the Long-beaked Common Dolphin is found in coastal waters.

Classification

Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Cetacea
Family:	Delphinidae
Genus:	Delphinus
Species:	capensis
Common Name:	Long-beaked Common Dolphin

Relatives in same Genus
Short-beaked Common Dolphin (D. delphis)

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