# Bottlenose Dolphin (*Tursiops truncatus*) Bottlenose dolphins are friendly-looking marine mammals. They are very intelligent and social. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 34 - **Habitat:** Coastal waters and open seas. - **Also known as:** Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, Bottle-nosed Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Dolphin ![Bottlenose Dolphin](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424627/objects/4391.jpg) ## Appearance The Bottlenose Dolphin has a sleek, torpedo-shaped body with a distinct, short, stubby snout, giving it its 'bottlenose' name. Its skin is typically dark grey on the back, fading to lighter grey sides and a white or pinkish belly. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Cetacea - **Family:** Delphinidae - **Genus:** Tursiops ## Interesting facts - Dolphins sleep by resting half their brain at a time! - Dolphins use unique whistle 'names' to identify each other! - Some dolphins can jump over 15 feet high out of the ocean! - They can hold their breath for over 10 minutes underwater! ## Special abilities - **Sonic Navigator:** Bottlenose Dolphins can create high-frequency clicks that bounce off objects, allowing them to 'see' their surroundings in murky waters. - **Hydrodynamic Thruster:** Bottlenose Dolphins have a powerful tail fluke that helps them propel through water at incredible speeds and perform agile maneuvers. - **Underwater Telepathy:** Bottlenose Dolphins can communicate with whistles and clicks over long distances, helping them coordinate hunting and stay connected. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 200-400 cm - **Weight:** 150-650 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-50 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 360-390 days ## Diet & Feeding Bottlenose dolphins are clever hunters who love to eat fish and squid from the ocean! - **Age differences:** Young dolphins drink milk from their mothers and gradually learn to hunt small fish and squid. - **Primary Foods:** Mackerel, Herring, Cod, Squid, Shrimp, Eels - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great White Shark](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-white-shark) (*Carcharodon carcharias*) — Great white sharks are known predators of bottlenose dolphins. - **Hunts:** [Bluefin Tuna](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bluefin-tuna) (*Thunnus thynnus*) — Dolphins often hunt schools of tuna and other large fish species. - **Hunts:** [Longfin Inshore Squid](https://www.snappit.app/explore/longfin-inshore-squid) (*Loligo pealeii*) — Bottlenose dolphins actively pursue and consume various species of squid. - **Eaten by:** [Orca](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orca) (*Orcinus orca*) — Orcas are apex predators that sometimes hunt bottlenose dolphins. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Echolocation](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/echolocation): Echolocation is a biological sonar used by animals to navigate, hunt, and communicate by emitting sound waves and interpreting the echoes. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not swim too close to wild dolphins. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bottlenose Dolphin? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Bottlenose Dolphin? 200-400 cm ### How much does Bottlenose Dolphin weigh? 150-650 kg ### How long does Bottlenose Dolphin live? 30-50 years ### How fast can Bottlenose Dolphin move? 35 km/h ### What does Bottlenose Dolphin eat? Bottlenose dolphins are clever hunters who love to eat fish and squid from the ocean! ### Where is Bottlenose Dolphin usually found? Coastal waters and open seas. ### How does Bottlenose Dolphin hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Gasparilla Inn Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gasparilla-inn-historic-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [SeaWorld San Diego](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seaworld-san-diego) — California, US · Aquarium - [Madrid Zoo Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/madrid-zoo-aquarium) — Spain, ES · Aquarium - [Florida Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/florida-aquarium) — Florida, US · Aquarium - [Jáji7em and Kw’ulh Marine Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/j-ji7em-and-kwulh-marine-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Kolmårdens djurpark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kolm-rdens-djurpark) — Östergötland County, SE · Zoo [View all places to see Bottlenose Dolphin](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bottlenose-dolphin) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Bottlenose Dolphin: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bottlenose-dolphin)