Common dolphin
Common dolphins are seen every year off the West Coast of Scotland. They are seen in larger groups than bottlenose dolphins and these superpods can contain over a hundred of individual dolphins.
Common dolphins are smaller that bottlenose dolphins and can be identified by their distinctive hour-glass marking on their sides.
All year round but closer to shore in summer.
West coast of Scotland
Bottlenose dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
The Scottish bottlenose dolphins are considerably larger than their cousins living in the warmer waters off Florida, USA. These dolphins can be between 3 and 4 metres in length and are normally to be seen in pods (groups) of up to ten animals. Pods can...
Harbour porpoise
Phocoena phocoena
The harbour porpoise is the smallest species of cetacean found in Scottish waters, being less than two metres long. It weighs about 45 kilos and is usually seen in small groups or schools. A porpoise breathes between 4 and 5 times every minute. As it s...
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