A short-beaked common dolphin became stranded at West Pier, Swansea , this week. 

This species of dolphin is often spotted in waters off the Welsh coast and is known for being playful.

But they become stranded more often in summer months and during breeding season when there are higher numbers of dolphins in coastal areas.

A member of the public found the dolphin on the beach near Swansea Marina, next to the pier.

During breeding season the number of dolphins means more become stranded on beaches

It's far from the first sea creatures to have washed up on a Welsh beach this summer. Last week, two species of sharks - cat sharks and smooth-hounds - littered the beach at Aberavon

Stormy weather also stranded hundreds of starfish-like creatures at the beach, in Neath Port Talbot , recently. 

Pembrey Sands was covered in huge barrel jellyfish stretching as far as the eye could see in July, and people captured incredible photos of them .

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A spokesman for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Trust said:  "This is a short-beaked common dolphin, which is a friendly and acrobatic species. 

"They have been sighted a lot recently off Devon, Cornwall, Wales and the west coast of Scotland, and, with this many dolphins around, we are sadly more likely to find dead individuals washed ashore. 

A fully-grown short-beaked common dolphin can grow up to 6.5ft and weigh over 500lbs

"This dolphin could have died from natural causes or been harmed by human activities, but we wouldn’t be able to tell without a post-mortem examination. 

"If you find a dead whale or dolphin on the beach you should call the UK Strandings Hotline on 0800 652 0333.

"Anyone finding a live whale or dolphin stranded ashore in England or Wales should act quickly and call the Rescue Hotline: 01825 765546."