Dolphins and Porpoises

Species of Dolphins

 

MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING RECORDING FORM

(description, geographic coordinates)

Observation made by:
CAPTCHA image

This helps us prevent spam, thank you.


 

MARINE MAMMAL SIGHTING FORM

(description, geographic coordinates)

(sea state, cloud cover (%), presence of boats)

(behavior, etc.)

Observation made by:
CAPTCHA image

This helps us prevent spam, thank you.

Common Name

Striped dolphin

Latin Name

Stenella coeruleoalba

Order

Cetacea

Family

Delphinidae

 

Length

up to 2.5 m

Striped Dolphin Icon (1)

Weight

130-170 kgStriped Dolphin Icon (2)

Social Behavior

Groups of 20 to 100

.Striped Dolphin Icon (3)

Life span:

up to 45 years

Distinctive characteristics:

The striped dolphin is easily recognized by its greyish and white stripes that begin at the eye area and spread along the dorsal and lateral sides of the body.

Striped Dolphin Web

 

 

Population trend:

It is the most abundant dolphin species in the Greek waters and in the whole Mediterranean Sea. However, a 30% reduction of its population size has been recorded for over 3 generations, raising great concern for its survival.

Main threats:

Prey depletion, chemical and noise pollution, by-catch, and habitat degradation.

Diet

Fish, cephalopods, crustaceans.Striped Dolphin Icon (4)

Habitat

 Offshore in waters more than 200 m depth, in pelagic and benthopelagic zones.Risso's Dolphin Icon (5)

Interesting Facts

The only species in the Mediterranean Sea that exhibits roto-tailing. This is the process of leaping very high out of the water and rapidly rotating the tail while in mid-air.Risso's Dolphin Icon (6)

Status (IUCN):

Vulnerable (VU)

Common Name

Common bottlenose dolphin

Latin Name

Tursiops truncatus

Order

Cetacea

Family

Delphinidae

 

Length

up to 3.5 m

Common Bottlenose Dolphin Icon (1)

Weight

up to 250-400 kgCommon Bottlenose Dolphin Icon (2)

Social Behavior

Pods of 2-25 individuals

Common Bottlenose Dolphin Icon (3)

Life span:

>50 years

Distinctive characteristics:

Identifiable by its greyish colouration and its short, wide and rounded snout, and curved dorsal fin. This species is larger and more robust than the other dolphin species.

Common Bottlenose Dolphin Web

Population trend:

These dolphins can be found throughout the Mediterranean, but sadly their populations, estimated around 10,000s individuals, have shown a 30% decline since the 1940s.

.

Main threats:

Prey depletion (due to overfishing), accidental (by-catch) and deliberate killings, habitat degradation, noise and chemical pollution.

Diet

Opportunistic diet; fish, cephalopods, crustaceans.Striped Dolphin Icon (4)

Habitat

Inshore coastal areas, and offshore areas.Common Bottlenose Dolphin Icon (5)

Interesting Facts

Bottlenose dolphins can produce up to 1000 clicks per second when echolocating.Common Bottlenose Dolphin Icon (6)

Status (IUCN):

Vulnerable (VU)

Common Name

Short-beaked common dolphin

Latin Name

Delphinus delphis

Order

Cetacea

Family

Delphinidae

 

Length

up to 2.5 m

Short-beaked Common Dolphin Icon (1)

Weight

up to 140 kgShort-beaked Common Dolphin Icon (2)

Social Behavior

Large pods of 10-50 individuals, often seen with other species.Short-beaked Common Dolphin Icon (3)

Life span:

>30 years

Distinctive characteristics:

The common dolphin is characterized by a light yellow hourglass shaped colouration on its flanks. Moreover, they have a really distinctive dorsal fin with a sharply ending leading part and white patches on the sides.

Short-beaked Common Dolphin Web

Population trend:

Despite their name, the population of common dolphins in the Mediterranean Sea is declining fast. In the last 30-50 years, there has been a loss of 50% of individuals. The most important remaining populations can be found in the northeastern Mediterranean, particularly in the Aegean Sea, located within the Samos bay region.

Main threats:

Prey depletion, habitat degradation, by-catch and noise and chemical pollution.

Diet

Fish and cephalopods.Short-beaked Common Dolphin Icon (4)

Habitat

Offshore, usually in waters of over 200 m depth.Short-beaked Common Dolphin Icon (5)

Interesting Facts

Similar to many other cetaceans, when the mother is giving birth, other members of the pod keep guard and after the pup is born it is helped to the surface for its first breath.Short-beaked Common Dolphin Icon (6)

Status (IUCN):

Endangered (EN)

Common Name

Risso's dolphin

Latin Name

Grampus griseus

Order

Cetacea

Family

Delphinidae

 

Length

up to 4 m

Risso's Dolphin Icon (1)

Weight

up to 400 kgRisso's Dolphin Icon (2)

Social Behavior

Groups of 3-20 animalsRisso's Dolphin Icon (3)

Life span:

more than 30 years

Distinctive characteristics:

It has a robust, stocky body. Their dorsal fin is tall, with a falcate form. The melon is blunt and they have no prominent beak. The species is characterized by white scars all around the body due to social interaction.

Risso's Dolphin Web

Population trend:

No population estimates exist in the Mediterranean Sea.

Main threats:

By-catch, noise and chemical pollution and habitat degradation.

Diet

Mainly cephalopods, but also fish.

Risso's Dolphin Icon (4)

Habitat

Migrating through open sea, frequently found in regions with deep marine canyons.Risso's Dolphin Icon (5)

Interesting Facts

The white markings on their skin are scars, caused by fights and interactions between the individuals, as well as their own prey.Risso's Dolphin Icon (6)

Status (IUCN):

Data deficient (DD)

PHOCOENA PHOCOENA

Length:

1.4 m

Weight:

50 kg

Life span:

~25 years

Feeding habits:

Wide variety of fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans.

Habitat:

Coastal and shallow offshore waters.

Distinctive characteristics:

Identifiable by its plump body, rounded head, low triangular dorsal fin and the lack of beak.

Population trend:

There are no current estimates of its total population size.  Their range in the Balkans encompasses the Black Sea and the adjacent water bodies including the northern Aegean Sea, where sporadic strandings have been recorded.

Main threats:

Fish depletion, by-catch, and habitat degradation.

Status (IUCN):

Endangered (EN)

TOP