Long-Beaked Common Dolphin Skull

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The long-beaked common dolphin, known scientifically as Delphinus capensis, is a unique species of dolphin that boasts a distinct appearance and habits. Its range is more limited compared to the short-beaked common dolphin (D. delphis), with a fragmented distribution in tropical and warm temperate oceanic areas along coastlines. This species can be found in parts of western and southern Africa, much of western South America, central California to central Mexico, coastal Peru, regions surrounding Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, and possibly near Oman. Vagrants have been spotted as far north as Vancouver Island. The long-beaked common dolphin inhabits shallow, warm-water areas near coastlines, as well as tropical and subtropical regions. This species is medium-sized, but smaller than the more popular bottlenose dolphin. Adults typically measure between 1.9 to 2.5 meters (6.2 to 8.2 feet) in length and can weigh between 80 to 235 kilograms (176 to 518 pounds), although a weight range of 80 to 150 kilograms (180 to 330 pounds) is more common. Males generally tend to be longer and heavier than females. The long-beaked common dolphin features an unusual color pattern on its body, with the back being dark and the belly white, while each side displays an hourglass pattern colored light grey, yellow, or gold in front and dirty grey in back. This species also boasts a rounded melon atop their heads used for echolocation. Additionally, it possesses a long, thin rostrum equipped with up to 60 small, sharp, interlocking teeth on each side of each jaw. Notably, the long-beaked common dolphin has more teeth than any other delphinid. For further information about this project, click on the following link: https://www.dundee.ac.uk/museum/collections/zoology/zoology3d/#d.en.387890