Long-beaked common dolphins are closely related to—and easily confused with—short-beaked common dolphins. Once thought to be a single species, the two species differ slightly in size, appearance and habitat preference. Long-beaked common dolphins are less abundant than their short-beaked relatives.
This highly social and energetic species prefers shallow, tropical, subtropical, and warmer temperate waters closer to the coast and on the continental shelf. Long-beaked common dolphins are usually found in large social groups averaging from 100 to 500 animals, and they are occasionally seen in larger herds of thousands of individuals (called mega-pod).
Long-beaked common dolphins feed in relatively shallow waters on small schooling fish (e.g., anchovies, hake, pilchards, and sardines), krill, and cephalopods (e.g., squid). Dolphin groups may work together to herd schools of prey.
Diet
Sardine, Anchovy, Krill, Squid
Population Status | Monterey
Least Concern
Legal Protection
Marine Mammal Protection Act, National Marine Protected Area Act
Threats
Biotoxin (Algal Blooms), Human Related Loss (Habitat Loss, Ocean Noise, Hunting, Food Source Loss, Climate Change, Disturbance, Entanglement, Harassment, Oil Spills, Pollution, Boat Strikes, Collisions)
Size
7’4″ft (Female)
8’4″ft (Male)
Weight
330 lb (Female)
330 lb (Male)
BEHAVIORS
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Bow-Riding