Short-Beaked Common Dolphin

Background

The Short-Beaked Common Dolphin are both a playful and extremely intelligent species. The fastest species of the dolphin family, these animals can travel upto 28 mph (45km/h). They are also highly sociable and will communicate to hunt, mate and work together.

Habitat

The extensive range of these animals covers all of the worlds oceans, with the exceptions of two; the Antarctic and the Arctic. This dolphin shows a preference to open waters such as the ocean, however can be found close to the coast during mating season.

Diet

A pack hunter dolphins feed on shoaling fish, squid, cuttlefish and octopus.

Predators & Threats

The maximum water temperature that these animals can survive in is 30° C, and therefore ocean warming is a great threat that could potentially limit their range. Main predators of dolphins include a wide range of sharks and killer whales/orca.

Facts

• During mating seasons common dolphins mate with both members of the same and different groups.
• If a member of a group becomes injured, two or three dolphins will help the individual swim until it can do so by itself.

Best Time to Look

All year round