Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)

The short-beaked common dolphin is a species of common dolphin. There are more short-beaked common dolphins than any other dolphin species in the warm-temperate portions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is also found in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. The short-beaked common dolphin is also abundant in the Black Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Red Sea. They follow the gulf stream up to Norwegian waters. They are very social animals and engage in most necessary activities such as traveling, eating, and breathing together. They usually associate in groups that can consist of 1000s to 100,000s of individuals. When some individuals are sick, others in the group assist them by using their fins to help keep them afloat so they survive. The short-beaked common dolphin has a varied diet consisting of many species of fish and squid that live less than 200 metres deep.

photo credits: PROTECTED RESOURCES DIVISION PUBLIC PHOTO GALLERY