The common dolphin is a moderately sized dolphin species, with an average length of about 6.5 feet and a weight of around 220 lbs.

The common dolphin is recognizable by its dark bluish-gray coloration on the back and whitish flanks. Yellowish and bluish patterns form an hourglass-shaped marking along its sides. Its belly is light-colored.

The dorsal fin of the common dolphin is dark gray with a lighter area in its center.

The common dolphin has a slender overall appearance, with a streamlined melon and a long, narrow beak, also known as the rostrum.

The common dolphin is a widespread and abundant species in tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is particularly common in the Mediterranean Sea as well as in the Black Sea.

The common dolphin is also found in the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Indian Ocean, along the southeastern coast of Africa and the western coast of Australia.

The common dolphin is a social species that travels in groups ranging from about ten to forty individuals. It mainly inhabits coastal waters but can also be found several thousand miles offshore.

The common dolphin mainly feeds on small schooling pelagic fish such as anchovies, sardines and herring, as well as squid, although its diet remains very diverse.

After a gestation period of about eleven months, female common dolphins give birth to a calf during the summer season. The mother then nurses the calf for more than one year.

The common dolphin can be confused with two other dolphin species with similar coloration: the striped dolphin, found in northern Mediterranean waters, and the Cape dolphin, which inhabits more tropical regions.

The common dolphin is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The common dolphin appears in the IUCN Red List since 2021 within the category Least Concern !

The common dolphin often makes its presence known near the bow of the boat, where it may playfully perform jumps out of the water !