199430Edited by Drew.110012733layer_information_pageund1449064505146175519400146175519421<p>The common dolphin has a distinctive creamy yellow hourglass pattern along the sides, with a dark grey back, tail and flippers and a cream coloured belly. The beak is relatively long and slender. Adult common dolphins measure between 1.7 to 2.7 metres long and weigh about 150 kg. Lifespan is about 20 to 30 years. Worldwide, there are currently two species of common dolphins recognised by scientists - short-beaked (<em>Delphinus delphis</em>) and long-beaked (<em>Delphinus capensis</em>).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> full_html<p>The common dolphin has a distinctive creamy yellow hourglass pattern along the sides, with a dark grey back, tail and flippers and a cream coloured belly. The beak is relatively long and slender. Adult common dolphins measure between 1.7 to 2.7 metres long and weigh about 150 kg. Lifespan is about 20 to 30 years. Worldwide, there are currently two species of common dolphins recognised by scientists - short-beaked (<em>Delphinus delphis</em>) and long-beaked (<em>Delphinus capensis</em>).</p> <p> </p> 363762short_beaked_common_dolphin.jpgpublic://short_beaked_common_dolphin.jpgimage/jpeg7155711456834447imageA Short-beaked Common Dolphin jumping out of the waterA Short-beaked Common Dolphin jumping out of the waterShort-beaked Common Dolphin - Copyright © Marine ScotlandShort-beaked Common Dolphin - Copyright © Marine Scotland<_drafty_revision_requested>FIELD_LOAD_CURRENTA Short-beaked Common Dolphin jumping out of the water800600818<p>Whales, dolphins and porpoises are collectively known as cetaceans. Twenty-three species have been recorded in Scottish waters over the last 25 years. Of these 11 are regularly sighted, the remaining 12 are considered to be vagrants or rare visitors.</p> <p>Cetaceans are very mobile and can range widely with some undertaking large scale seasonal migrations often leaving Scottish waters in the process. Other species are more localised in their distribution. The greatest diversity of species is found off the continental shelf in waters to the north and west of Scotland.</p> full_html<p>Whales, dolphins and porpoises are collectively known as cetaceans. Twenty-three species have been recorded in Scottish waters over the last 25 years. Of these 11 are regularly sighted, the remaining 12 are considered to be vagrants or rare visitors.</p> <p>Cetaceans are very mobile and can range widely with some undertaking large scale seasonal migrations often leaving Scottish waters in the process. Other species are more localised in their distribution. The greatest diversity of species is found off the continental shelf in waters to the north and west of Scotland.</p> 5190142855168517552125214875917sioc:Itemfoaf:Documentdc:datedc:createdxsd:dateTimedate_iso8601dc:modifiedxsd:dateTimedate_iso8601content:encodedsioc:has_creatorrelfoaf:namesioc:num_repliesxsd:integersioc:last_activity_datexsd:dateTimedate_iso8601https://marine.gov.scot/?q=information/short-beaked-common-dolphin074521994312733publishedpublished21146175519411146175519474521994312733publishedpublished21146175519411146175519474521994312733publishedpublished211461755194111461755194