The Bottlenose Dolphin By Alexandra Bermudez

Anatomy External Dorsal, pectoral & fluke fins, beak or snout. Kneel, Dorsal ridge, cape, blowhole and melon all on the dolphins’ backside. Genital slit and navel on bottom side. Smooth and rubbery skin. Internal Consists of necessary organs such as the liver, heart, intestine, kidneys, lungs, a brain, stomach, etc.

Life Cycle Bottlenose Dolphin calves are born in the water after a period of one year. Then a “suckle” period for 18 months. They remain with the mother for about four years. Life span of up to 50 years. found in groups of 2 to 15 individuals

Habitat Found in temperate and tropical waters around the world. There are coastal populations that migrate into bays, estuaries and river mouths as well. There some populations even inhabit pelagic waters along the continental shelf.

Migration/Moving Patterns Coastal Bottlenose Dolphin Prefers shallow and warm water. Remains within 5 miles of shoreline. Sometimes found in bays or estuaries. Offshore Bottlenose Dolphin Prefers cooler water. Resides farther to the coast. Most are migratory.

Bottlenose dolphins typically feed on creatures like invertebrates, squids, pelagic fishes and bottom dwelling fishes. They also use techniques such as echolocation and “fish whacking” to hunt and subdue their prey.

Communication Communicates through distinct whistle sound. Scientists haven’t found any evidence of a dolphin language. Sounds vary in volume, wavelength, frequency, and pattern. During some vocalizations, bottlenose dolphins actually release air from the blowhole.

Senses Highly developed senses. Acute: 1. Hearing 2. Eyesight 3. Touch Can swim for up to speeds of mph. Very limited sense of smell. Dolphins also use their teeth as a type of antennae so that they can receive information about incoming sounds.

Origins Dolphins are descendants of land-dwelling mammals of the artiodactyl family or as they're also known as; even- toed ungulates. They are related to the Indohyus, a now extinct creature from which they split from over 48 million years ago.

Conservation Efforts NOAA and its partners started the ‘Barataria Bay Dolphin Study’ in 2011 as part of the process for studying the effects of deep water Horizon oil spill and its effect on this species. In 2006, the Southeast fisherman science center introduced the Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan (BDTRP), in order to reduce the serious injury and mortality issues regarding the of Western North Atlantic coastal bottlenose dolphins. Seasonal closures for certain commercial fisheries in state waters.

In this video, the narrator is depicting a Bottlenoses ’dolphins true aggressive behavior. He is explaining how two Bottlenose dolphins from the Bahamas coast are giving a Spotted dolphin a rough time to establish dominance. They then move on to pick on the smaller Bottlenose dolphin of their pod to show that its “nothing personal”. He also shows them being combative, then proceeding to a less violent, more social scenario.