Delphinus Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Delphinus


Size compared to an average human
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Cetacea
Family:	Delphinidae
Genus:	Delphinus

Delphinus is a group of dolphins often called the "Common Dolphin". These amazing sea creatures are known for their speed and playful nature. There are two main types of Common Dolphins: the Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and the Long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis). Some scientists also think there might be a third type, the "Arabian Common Dolphin" (Delphinus tropicalis), which has a very long, thin beak and lives in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.

Common Dolphins: Fast Swimmers of the Ocean
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Common Dolphins: Fast Swimmers of the Ocean

Common Dolphins are medium-sized dolphins. They are very fast swimmers, able to reach speeds of up to 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) per hour! They can also dive deep into the ocean, sometimes going down as far as 200 meters (about 660 feet) to find food.

How Do They Look?

Adult Common Dolphins usually grow to be about 1.9 to 2.5 meters (6.2 to 8.2 feet) long. They weigh between 80 and 235 kilograms (180 to 520 pounds). Male dolphins are usually a bit longer and heavier than females. Their bodies are dark gray on top, white on their bellies, and light gray, gold, or yellow on their sides. This unique color pattern helps them blend in with the ocean.

Where Do They Live and What Do They Eat?

Common Dolphins live in both warm and mild waters around the world. You can find them in oceans from about 40°N to 50°S latitude. They love to eat many different kinds of fish, like sardines, herrings, and bonitos. They also enjoy munching on octopuses and squids. They often hunt in groups, working together to catch their prey.

Dolphin Babies: Reproduction Facts

Female Common Dolphins are pregnant for about 10 to 11 months. They usually give birth to one baby at a time. A newborn dolphin is quite small, about 70 to 100 centimeters (2.3 to 3.3 feet) long, and weighs around 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Female dolphins become old enough to have babies when they are between 2 and 7 years old. Males mature a bit later, between 3 and 12 years old. Common Dolphins can live for a long time, usually around 35 to 40 years.

Different Kinds of Common Dolphins

For a long time, people thought there was only one type of Common Dolphin. This was the Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis). But later, scientists discovered another species, the Long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis). The main difference between them is that the Short-beaked Common Dolphin is smaller and has a shorter beak than the Long-beaked Common Dolphin. As mentioned earlier, scientists are still studying if the Arabian Common Dolphin is a separate species.