People were stunned when a wounded dolphin washed ashore on the Romanian coast. The injured dolphin, identified as a Delphinus delphis, was brought out of the water in an effort to save it, but sadly, it could not be saved. Experts believe the dolphin’s injuries were caused by fishing nets.
In the Black Sea, there are three species of marine mammals:
- Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis ponticus)
- Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus ponticus)
- Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta)
These species differ in physical characteristics and diet. Bottlenose dolphins and harbor porpoises primarily eat fish and other bottom-dwelling creatures, while common dolphins feed on fish and other organisms in the water column. As a result, their habitats vary: the former two are mostly found in coastal regions, whereas common dolphins are usually found further offshore.
The common dolphin has a bluish-gray to brown dorsal side with a light V-shaped marking on its side. It also has a dark band running from the lower jaw to where the pectoral fins attach. The dorsal, pectoral, and tail fins are dark gray-brown.
Newborns are about 0.80-0.95 meters long, and in the Black Sea, they typically reach up to 2 meters (males up to 177 cm, females up to 159 cm). These dolphins are very sensitive to pollution and usually swim in groups of 10-15, though they can also be seen in pairs or alone. They can swim at speeds of around 50 km/h and dive briefly, often surfacing to breathe every 1/3 seconds. They are found at depths up to 70 meters.
Common dolphins reach sexual maturity by 2 years of age, have a 10-month gestation period, and wean their young at 4 months. They are known for their strong maternal instincts and have a lifespan of 25-30 years. Their diet mainly includes small pelagic fish such as sprat and anchovy, as well as crustaceans. They also eat fish like horse mackerel, cod, and sea bass, and their daily food intake is about 10 kg.
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