Bottlenose Dolphins

Interesting Facts about bottlenose dolphins

Introduction

If you have ever been to Sea World or have seen dolphins appearing on a screen, it is most likely that it was a Bottlenose Dolphin.  This breed of dolphin is one of the most well known throughout the planet because of their characteristics, personality and life style. 

Interesting Facts about Bottlenose Dolphins

Unlike some dolphins, the Bottlenose Dolphins have moved into almost every area of the ocean.  You can find them in the Pacific, Atlantic or Indian Ocean waters, as well as in gulfs and river mouths located around the world.  Not only do they have a larger area of living, but also are known to migrate into different eco-types, causing their range of living to be expansive, dependent on the season. 

Scientists are now finding that there are more than one type of Bottlenose Dolphins that are inhabiting the various areas of the earth.  This is based on the area in which they dwell, specifically divided by the Indo – Pacific area and the more common areas.  There are also other species living closer to the Pacific which will slightly differ and the Black Sea dolphin.  Despite their division of habitat, they are known to swim together in pods, or groups, in order to survive. 

One of the well known attributes of these animals is the sonar senses that they have.  This allows them to listen to sounds and echoes in order to find food as well as areas in which they want to travel or don't want to travel.  This particular attribute links to their strong survival and ability to remain sensitive to what is surrounding them.  Even though their sense of eyesight and smell is poor, the sonar sense has allowed them to find their way around the ocean in order to find areas of habitat and food.

Bottlenose dolphins are well know from aquatic parks and Hollywood movies

Reproduction

Bottlenose Dolphins have a strong mating ritual in order to communicate with each other.  Typically, the dolphins will not reach maturity until they are ten to fifteen years old, with females becoming mature quicker than males.  The females will remain pregnant for an average of twelve months.  When the calf is born, there will be assistance from the other dolphins, similar to a midwife.  The female will take care of a calf for up to 6 years, which is longer than most other dolphins.  Some calves are also known to remain close to their mothers for a much longer time frame.  The first year to year and a half will be spent nursing the calf.

Anatomy

It is the anatomy of the Bottlenose Dolphin that gives it the name, as well as it's distinguishing features.  While many dolphins will have larger noses, the Bottlenose Dolphin is set apart because of it's smaller beak.  This is because of the way that it feeds as well as it's adaptation into the ocean. 

In order to compensate for this, Bottlenose Dolphins have developed a different type of vertebrae than others.  This is one that is not attached together along the back.  This allows for the dolphins to be flexible in their movements and to twist, turn and flip in more than one way. 

The Bottlenose Dolphin is also known because it is one of the larger species of dolphins.  They can get to be between 8 and 12 feet and can weigh up to 1500 pounds.  This makes them a stockier type of dolphin that is also longer in size, with the males being much larger than the females. 

Conclusion

As one of the most popular ocean creatures, the Bottlenose Dolphin shows it's attributes and characteristics that are similar to other dolphins, but have allowed for it's strong survival throughout the world.  The capacities of this species to work and live in certain ways has allowed it to become one of the most loved fish of the deep sea.