|
|
Family: Delphinidae
Bottlenose Dolphin, more...Bottlenosed Dolphin
|
Bocas Species Database Habitat: This species prefers shallower waters (offshore banks, shoals, atolls, etc). Distribution: Inhabits most all oceans except at very high latitudes. Natural History Notes: The Bottlenose Dolphin is the largest beaked dolphin and likes visits all the oceans of the globe. It is a very social and curious animal that is usually found in groups of variable size. Its diet consists mainly of fish and squid. This animal can be an aggressive predator, but will have an impressive sense of empathy when it comes to save members of its group. If a dolphin is injured, one of its companions will bring it at the surface to help it breath. Similar episodes have been reported even for humans, when bottlenose dolphins saved injured humans by bringing them at the surface. The gestation time for a young is 12 months. A study conducted by May-Collado and Wartzok (2008) looked at different factors that could explain geographical variations in the whistle structure of bottlenose dolphins. The results showed that whistles pattern can be different between two adjacent populations, and that this observed plasticity in whistle patterns could facilitate adaptation to local and changing conditions in their habitat. Characteristics: The total length of this species varies between 1.9m and 4m and the differences in size are usually related to differences in habitat. It weights an average of 500kg. Its coloration is gray, varying from dark gray at the top near the dorsal fin, to very light gray and almost white on the underside. Also, the common name of this dolphin comes from the fact that the elongated upper and lower jaws form a rostrum, or a beak-like snout. However, its real nose is the blowhole on top of its head. Each of the two jaws possesses 18 to 28 conical teeth on each side. It is also interesting to note that the dorsal fin and the lobes on the tail (flukes) are not made of bones or muscles, but are formed by dense connective tissue. This dolphin can transport itself by propelling itself forward by moving the large tail flukes up and down. |