Common dolphin

Despite the name, this species is actually not very common in our areas. The common dolphin prefers temperate-warm waters, although in summer it can go into colder areas. There are populations that live mainly in the open sea even if most of them are more coastal and prefer depths less than 500 m. The colour patterns of the common dolphin are quite elaborate. The back is dark grey to black fromthe top of the head to the tail; the flanks are light grey behind the dorsal fin and yellowish-tan forward to the dorsal fin, forming an hourglass pastern, while the belly is white.The dorsal fin is triangular-to-falcate in shape, lighter grey incolour in the middle of the fin. Gestation lasts from 10 to 11 mounths and most calves are generally born in summer. They feed on a large variety of squid and fish (anchovies,sardines). These dolphins have been seen working togheter to capture their prey.