Common Bottlenose Dolphin!

Size

• length 6-13ft. (2-3.9m)
• Weight 440-600 lb.(200-275 kg)

Habitat

• Coastal,shelf,and offshore waters.
• separate populations occur in inshore waters and pelagic waters.
• A dolphin seen from land in warmer waters is most likely to be this species, as the coastal form will enter bays,estuaries,and shallow water.

Diet

• Eats a wide variety of bottom-dwelling and water-column prey

Reproductive

• Females bear a single young every 2-3 years and nurse for about a year.
• Calf may be tended by other adults when mother hunts.

Behavior

• Usually travels sedately, showing only back and dorsal fin.
• The "smiling" face is seldom seen at sea.
• Attracted to boats and often bow-rides or travels at the stern. Some-times acrobatic when feeding; captives can be trained to perform impressive leaps.

Nesting

• Usually seen in groups of 10-15, sometimes in larger assemblages, and may associate with other species.
• North to cen. California in pacific and to R.I. in Alantic
• Coastal form more common in Gulf of Mexico, but offshore form also enter these waters.
• Found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide

Physical Characteristics

• Stocky, with a short but distinct beak
• Grayish, with an indistinct dark cape and pale belly.
• Dorsal fin large, usually falcate.
• Familiar to many as "flipper" and other captive performers.