Tourists couldn’t believe their eyes!
Tourists on the Romanian coast were astonished by the sight that emerged from the sea. A wounded dolphin was washed ashore alongside the waves, prompting an immediate rescue effort. Despite attempts to save the creature, it unfortunately did not survive. Experts identified it as a member of the Delphinus delphis species.
The dolphin exhibited multiple injuries, likely inflicted by fishing nets.
The Black Sea is home to three species of marine mammals:
- Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis ponticus)
- Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus ponticus)
- Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta)
These dolphins vary in both anatomical features and dietary preferences. The bottlenose dolphin and harbor porpoise primarily consume fish and other benthic organisms, whereas the common dolphin feeds on fish and various organisms found in the water column.
Consequently, each species has distinct habitat preferences: the first two species are mainly located in coastal regions, while the common dolphin is typically found in offshore areas.
The common dolphin displays a bluish-gray to brown coloration on its dorsal side, characterized by a light V-shaped lateral boundary. A pigmented band of varying darkness extends from the lower jaw to the base of the pectoral fins. Its dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins are black to gray-brown.
At birth, common dolphins measure approximately 0.80-0.95 meters in length. In the Black Sea, they do not exceed 2 meters (males average 177 cm, females 159 cm). They are particularly sensitive to chemical and acoustic pollution. Typically, they form groups of 10-15 individuals, although pairs or solitary dolphins are also common. They are capable of swimming at speeds up to 50 km/h, perform short dives, and frequently surface to breathe, with intervals of about 1/3 seconds. Their habitat extends to depths of up to 70 meters.
Sexual maturity is attained at the age of two years, with a gestation period lasting ten months and weaning occurring at four months. These animals display exceptionally strong maternal instincts. Their lifespan is projected to be between 25 and 30 years. The primary components of their diet include small pelagic fish such as sprat, anchovy, and gobies, along with crustaceans. However, their stomach contents frequently reveal the presence of other species, including horse mackerel, cod, bluefish, red mullet, sea bass, shrimp, and mollusks. On average, their daily food consumption is around 10 kilograms.
