Long-beaked common dolphin

Natural history

The long-beaked common dolphin can dive to at least 900 feet (274.3 m) and hold its breath for up to eight minutes. It’s usually found in groups, called schools.

In Monterey Bay

There are two species of common dolphin, both of which are seen in Monterey Bay. This dolphin comes in search of food—squid and schooling fishes—and moves in schools that can number 1,000 or more. The huge groups can churn the surface of the water with so much activity that it looks like it’s boiling, leading the Sicilian fishermen who settled in Monterey to call it “spaghetti water.” These fishermen would watch for dolphin activity to locate large schools of sardines.

Conservation

At one time as many as 24,000 common dolphins died every year in the eastern Pacific, victims of the purse seine nets used to catch tuna. New laws and ways of fishing now spare many dolphins, but many more remain at risk.

According to the Animal Welfare Institute, 100,000 or more dolphins and small cetaceans are killed in illegal and unregulated hunts every year. Dolphin meat is sold for human consumption and used as fishing bait in countries all over the world, including Japan, Peru, Nigeria and Madagascar.

Cool facts

• This is the classic dolphin of Greek and Roman mythology.
• “Super pods” of up to 5,000 dolphins have been seen in Monterey Bay—a stunning sight.
• Only about a third of a dolphin pod is visible; the other two-thirds is under water.
• These dolphins are familiar companions to sailors of many seas. As fast-moving ships slice through the water, common dolphins surf alongside. Dolphins also use this hitchhiking trick with their own cousins; sometimes they ride on the waves of large whales.
• Dolphins, like whales, use echolocation to navigate and find food. They whistle to communicate with other dolphins, and use a special whistle called a “signature whistle” to identify themselves.