Common dolphins are fond of coastal waters, but are also found well out to sea. Generally, they prefer surface temperatures greater than 10 degrees Celsius. These dolphins normally travel at 5 to 7 miles per hour (although they are known to reach speeds of 29 miles per hour when pursuing food), and can move up to 150 to 200 miles in a 48 hour period. When swimming, schools follow and dive over prominent features of the ocean bottom. Also, herd movements correlate with the seasonal shifts in population of certain fish.

(Alpers, 1961; Baker, 1987; Schevill, 1974;   http://whales.ot.com/).

Aquatic Biomes: benthic ; reef ; coastal