![]() Bottlenose dolphins usually live about 20 to 25 years, but some may live longer than 40 years. Females reach sexual maturity between five and 12 years old, while males mature at 10 to 12 years old. Calves begin nursing within several hours of birth and will feed on their mother’s milk for 18 months. This assisting dolphin is often the only other dolphin allowed near the newborn calf. During the birth, an assisting dolphin (which may be either male or female) remains close to the mother. They are found in all temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, and inhabit both coastal and offshore habitats in the marine environment. Females give birth to one calf every three to six years, with a gestation period of about 12 months. Common bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus) are one of the most well-known and recognizable species of marine mammals. Your browser does not support the audio element. Most scientists currently recognize two species of bottlenose dolphin: the common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus and the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin. Puffing and hissing sounds can be heard when they exhale through their blowholes. Each dolphin is believed to have its own unique whistle. Sounds include clicking, creaking, squeaking and whistling. Voiceĭolphins use sound to communicate with other dolphins, navigate through the water, watch for predators and find prey. The source of their common name, bottlenose dolphins exhibit a pronounced anterior rostrum (often referred to as a beak), typically 7 to 8 cm (3 in.) in length. They have a streamlined fusiform body shape. Humans threaten dolphins through pollution and recreational fishing gear. Bottlenose dolphins are light to dark gray over their dorsal surface, fading into a white or cream along their ventral region. Sharks, such as bull sharks, are dolphins’ greatest predators. ![]() They use their teeth to grasp prey, then swallow it whole. Feedingīottlenose dolphins feed mostly on fish such as spot, croakers, menhaden and silver perch, but will also eat shrimp, squid, crabs and other invertebrates. Bottlenose dolphins can grow to 12 feet in length and weigh 300 to 400 pounds. It has a blowhole on the top of its head. Though bottlenose dolphins will eat a variety of fish, squids, and crustaceans, they have preferred meals, just like we do What do bottlenose dolphins eat if they have a choice Territory often plays a role in a dolphin’s favorite meal. It has a short, beak-like snout with a slightly longer lower jaw than upper jaw. Bottlenose dolphins are carnivores, meaning that they eat meat. The bottlenose dolphin has a slender, streamlined body that is grayish in color.
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