* Scientific name * Tursiops truncatus * Size—8-10 ft., lbs. (same size as a killer whale at birth * Physical characteristics—have a fusiform body * Also exhibit countershading * Extended rostrum gives them their name * Blubber used as insulation and for buoyancy

Dorsal fin Tail flukes Flipper Rostrum

* Blood is shunted away from areas like the flippers and flukes to areas like the heart, lungs and brain where oxygen is needed * All whales use these adaptations when diving * Dolphins exchange about 80% or more of their lung air compared to humans 17%

* Dolphins are very social; groups can vary in size from 2 to 15 * Dolphins were thought to live in pods like killer whales but scientists have found their groups are not as long term as pods * Groups become larger based on water depth and openness of the habitat

Mixed pod—Atlantic spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins

* Some dolphins establish strong social bonds * Mother-calf bonds are long-lasting; at calf typically stays with its mother for 3-6 years * A female may return to her mother or female relatives to raise her own calves * Adult male pair bonds are strong and long-lasting. Researchers have documented 20-year pair bonds * Associations between males and females are usually short-lived

Female with two calves Male and female Sloopy and Toque—2 males Female with calf

* Bottlenose dolphins eat fish, crustaceans, squid, bottom-dwelling invertebrates * They eat about 4-6% of their body weight daily; nursing mothers eat about 8% * Have conical-shaped teeth used for grasping, ripping and tearing prey * Sometimes hunt cooperatively when hunting fish * Encircle large school of fish and herd them into a ball * Take turns charging in to feed

* Gestation is approximately 12 months * Give birth to one calf every 2 years * Calves are from inches (3.5-4 feet) and weigh lbs. * Nurse for months

Mother pushes calf to surface

* Killer whales and sharks are their only predators * Bottlenose dolphins inhabit warm seas (and some temperate seas) worldwide

* Write a short paragraph describing the similarities and differences between a humpback whale, a killer whale and a bottlenose dolphin. Be sure to include things like habitat, food source, reproduction, and behavior.