About Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, 1758
Species Identity
Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, 1758) are medium-sized dolphins.
Size
Adult common dolphins measure between 1.9 and 2.5 m (6.2 and 8.2 ft) in length, and weigh between 80 and 235 kg (176 and 518 lb); a weight range of 80 to 150 kg (180 to 330 lb) is more common. Males are generally longer and heavier than females.
Coloration
Their coloration is unusual, with a dark back and white belly that forms countershading. Each flank features an hourglass color pattern: the front portion is light grey, yellow, or gold, and the back portion is dirty grey.
Head and Dentition
They have long, thin rostra, with up to 50 to 60 small, sharp, interlocking teeth on each side of each jaw.
Gestation Period
The short-beaked common dolphin has a gestation period of 10 to 11 months.
Newborn Calf Size
Newborn calves are 70 to 100 centimetres (2.3 to 3.3 ft) long and weigh approximately 10 kilograms (22 lb).
Weaning Timeline
For the Black Sea population of this species, weaning occurs between five and six months after birth; in other areas, weaning happens later, up to around 19 months.
Interbirth Interval
The typical interbirth interval ranges from one year for the Black Sea population to three years for populations in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Sexual Maturity Age
The age of sexual maturity also varies by location: it ranges between 2 and 7 years for females, and between 3 and 12 years for males.
Reproductive Form Comparison
There is no evidence of major reproductive differences between the two recognized forms of this species.
