Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Facts about Bottlenose Dolphins

Most of the dolphins seen from the shores in the United States are Bottlenose dolphins. They can be found in oceans all over the world usually in tropical and temperate waters.

Adults range from 6 to 13 feet in length and can weigh from 400 to over 1,000 pounds. Dolphins that live in colder waters (such as near Scotland) tend to be larger than those that live in warm waters. The adult males are usually larger than the females. They are gray in color, darkest on the top and almost white underneath.

Bottlenose dolphins usually swim 3 to 7 mph but can swim at a fast speed of 20 to 30 mph. Because they are mammals, dolphins must rise to the surface to breathe. They breathe on an average of every 5-8 minutes.

The name Bottlenose came from the appearance of their bottle-shaped nose. They have cone shaped teeth which they use for catching food. They do not chew. They eat 10 to 30 pounds of food a day, primarily fish and occasionally shrimp, crab and squid.

The skin has a rubbery feel and is quite sensitive. It can be scratched and damaged easily but also tends to heal quickly. Its smooth texture helps the dolphin to slip easily through the water along with its streamline body shape.

Bottlenose dolphins can live up to 30 to 40 years old.

Bottlenose dolphins are great communicators. Much research has been done discovering their advanced communication skills. With a wide variety of vocalizations (whistles and clicks), it is hypothesized that dolphins may have a complex language which we hope to someday understand. We do know that each dolphin has its own signature whistle which it uses to identify itself. Baby dolphins soon learn their mother's signature whistle. Also we have observed that dolphins converse with one another. Instructions given to one dolphin have been transferred to a second dolphin who successfully completes the original instructions.

See Facts about Dolphins

Dolphin Echolocation See an example!

Find out more!

American Cetacean Society Fact Sheet
A comprehensive list of Bottlenose Dolphin facts.

National Parks Conservation Association
Bottlenose Dolphin factoids and status.

National Marine Mammal Laboratory
Detailed Information about Bottlenose Dolphins

Bottlenose Dolphins at Whale Web
Learn about dolphins' appearance, gestation, pod behavior, communication skills and more.

Bottle-nosed Dolphin From Answers.com
Definitions, facts and descriptions with links on keywords.

Learn about other types of dolphins!

Spinner Dolphin
(Stenella longirostris)

Risso's Dolphin
(Grampus Griseus)