Description: The common dolphin is small (adults are 1.7-2.6m long), with a slim and streamlined body. The back, fins and beak are dark greyish-black and the underside is white. There is a distinctive hourglass pattern on the sides made up of patches of pale yellow/tan and light grey. The eye is surrounded by a black ring with a dark stripe that runs from the eye to the front of the head (above the beak). A second dark stripe runs from below the beak to the flipper. The short, narrow beak is easily seen. Between 40 and 55 pairs of small, pointed, cone-shaped teeth are present in the upper and lower jaw. The dorsal fin is in the middle of the back.

Habitat: This is a pelagic species which is usually found far out at sea and continental shelf waters, however it can sometimes be seen inshore, especially around Rathlin Island, Islandmagee and the Copeland Islands.

Distribution: Common dolphins, as their name suggests, are one of the most plentiful dolphin species in the world. They are found mainly in deep, temperate and tropical offshore waters throughout the world but can occasionally be seen in the coastal waters off Northern Ireland.

Similar Species: There are no similar species in Northern Ireland coastal waters.

Key Identification Features:

• Small, slender dolphin
• The back, fins and beak are dark brown/black and the underside is white
• distinctive hourglass pattern on the sides made up of patches of pale yellow/tan and light grey
• Short, narrow beak

Distribution Map from NBN: Delphinus delphis at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Delphinus delphis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Delphinus delphis

WoRMS: Delphinus delphis at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, 1758. AphiaID: 137094.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Tetrapoda; Mammalia; Theria; Cetartiodactyla; Cetancodonta; Cetacea; Odontoceti; Delphinidae; Delphinus