![Common Dolphin - Delphinus delphis (short beaked) and Delphinus capensus (long beaked) Common Dolphin - Delphinus delphis (short beaked) and Delphinus capensus (long beaked)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/Creature_Images/127.jpg)
Photo by
Shane Anderson
Common dolphins can be split into two groups long and short beaked. Both groups are found throughout the world’s oceans and share similar behavioral characteristics such as jumping and surfing the bow waves of vessels. However, the long beaked dolphins are more commonly seen near coastal areas, such as Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Both forms have a dark gray dorsal surface with a lighter hourglass pattern on their sides, and white undersides.
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Common Dolphin
(Delphinus delphis (short beaked) and Delphinus capensus (long beaked))
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/blank1x1.gif)
![Distribution Distribution](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/Encyclopedia_btn_03.gif) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/blank1x1.gif) |
Both temperate and tropical seas world wide
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/blank1x1.gif)
![Habitat Habitat](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/Encyclopedia_btn_08.gif) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/blank1x1.gif) |
Open ocean and near shore, especially around oceanic and coastal islands. |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/blank1x1.gif)
![Diet Diet](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/Encyclopedia_btn_06.gif) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/blank1x1.gif) |
Fish, squid, and occasionally octopus
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/blank1x1.gif)
![Status Status](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/Encyclopedia_btn_10.gif)
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/blank1x1.gif) ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/btn_Slider.gif)
The status of this species is
representative of the populations within the waters of this Sanctuary only, not global populations. |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/blank1x1.gif)
![Quick Fact Quick Fact](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/Encyclopedia_btn_12.gif) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/blank1x1.gif) |
Common dolphins are one of the most numerous cetaceans in the world, with a population that is estimated to be over one million. |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/blank1x1.gif)
![Learn More Learn More](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/Encyclopedia_btn_18.gif) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130221214346im_/http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/onms/Park/images/blank1x1.gif) |
- Cetacea.org
- Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network
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