Atlantic bottlenose dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Species Information
Exhibit Name and Location Marine Mammal Pavilion – Pier 4, Level 1
Description of Animal The bottlenose dolphin is perhaps one of the most commonly seen cetaceans in the world. Bottlenose dolphins are light to slate gray on the upper part (dorsal surface) of their bodies, fading to lighter gray on the sides and pale gray or pink on the belly. The dorsal fin is tall and curves toward the rear of the animal. The flukes (tail fins) are curved with a deep notch in the middle, and the pectoral (side) fins are of medium length and pointed. This dolphin has a robust body with a short stubby rostrum (beak), which earned it the name “bottlenose.” There are 86 to 100 sharp, cone-shaped teeth in its mouth, which allow the animal to grasp slippery prey.
Aquarist's Note As trainers, we form close associations with these animals. After all, we often spend more time with them than we do with our own families! The social structure of the dolphins at the Aquarium is modeled after life in the wild. Females remain with their calves for at least three years. The males move on after five to ten years. As they do in the wild, males move from place to place and breed with a variety of females. We keep the dolphins busy! They learn, play, exercise, forage, and explore new objects that we introduce.
Diet The varied diet includes fish, squid, and crustaceans. Atlantic bottlenose dolphins exhibit a diverse range of feeding strategies: they may hunt cooperatively (often herding fish into tight circles), feed in association with fishing boats, dig in the sand to uncover food items, or chase fish onto mudbanks.
Size Adults reach 6 to 12 feet (1.8 to 3.6 m) in length and weigh 400 to 800 pounds (180 to 360 kg). Males are slightly larger than females.
Range Bottlenose dolphins are found worldwide in tropical and temperate waters, often along coastlines or in bays, harbors, or estuaries.
Population Status While bottlenose dolphins are not endangered, some populations are depleted. In U.S. waters, all marine mammals are protected by the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act. Major threats come from humans. Dolphins are accidentally caught in fishing gear (gill nets, purse seines, and shrimp trawls). Humans harass and feed wild dolphins, and in some regions of the world kill them diretly. Coastal populations may be especially vulnerable to habitat degradation, including high levels of pollutants from human populations on-shore and human activities in the water.
Predators Bottlenose dolphins are a top predator in the ocean, with few predators of their own. Sharks and killer whales occasionally prey upon the very old, weak, or young. Humans present a greater threat to this species through incidental catch or direct harassment.