What do bottlenose dolphins do

Like all mammals, common bottlenose dolphins reproduce through internal fertilization, and females give birth to live young. Common bottlenose dolphins and other dolphins are thought to be some of the smartest animals on the planet, challenging the great apes chimps and gorillas for the top spot. They are also extremely curious and often approach people to investigate. Their intelligence is likely both a result of and a driver of their complex social structures.

They generally live in small groups and organize complex, group behaviors when mating and hunting. Their preferred prey includes small, schooling fishes and squids. Adult common bottlenose dolphins have no known predators, and juveniles are likely only rarely taken by large sharks or perhaps other predatory marine mammals. This species is hunted for human consumption and for use as fishing bait in several places around the world, but global numbers are generally considered to be in good shape.

Population trends for common bottlenose dolphins are not well known, but scientists believe this dolphin to be a species of least concern. Males are usually slightly larger than females. Fins: The dorsal fin of bottlenose dolphins is tall, broad and curved. Bottlenose dolphins are very social animals known for their carefree and playful behavior. Often times, bottlenose dolphins can be seen living in groups called pods.

These groups may contain only a few members or many hundreds when different pods meet up and join one another.

Bottlenose dolphins have been known to hunt in groups, taking turns chasing through schools of fish or cornering fish against sandbars or mudbanks. Breeding and Reproduction. Females reach sexual maturity at 5 - 7 years and males reach sexual maturity at 10 - 12 years. Females produce one offspring every two to three years. Calving takes place at all times of the year with peaks in some areas during the spring and fall. Calves nurse for over a year 12 - 18 months , and stay with their mothers for up to three years learning how to catch fish and other important tasks.

A bottlenose dolphin's diet usually consists of a wide variety of foods including fish, squid and crustaceans. The typical length for an adult bottlenose dolphin can range between 6 to over 12 feet and they can weigh over a 1, pounds. The bottlenose dolphin's diet varies depending on the region where they live.

These skillful predators primarily eat fish, but can also hunt other marine life such as squid. Dolphins have some sophisticated ways to catch a meal. Some of their tactics include herding prey into muddy areas and even catching leaping fish out of the air. They tend to hunt in a group, which makes the foraging process very effective.

Dolphins thrive in both tropical and cooler, more temperate waters. Humans have encountered dolphin pods both near shore and in deep offshore waters like the Indian Ocean. Some dolphin groups stay in one area for a lifetime while others migrate. When their calves are born they typically weigh around pounds, compared to full-grown dolphins that can weigh over a 1, pounds. That's quite a difference!

Bottlenose dolphins start out quite dark in color, lightening as they mature. Dolphins are under threat worldwide, mainly human generated threats. Two of the biggest issues are entanglement in fishing gear and nets, and pollution. Dolphins often pursue the same fish species that commercial fishing ships are hunting and may get accidentally caught in their nets. They can also get tangled in discarded ropes and gear, causing a significant amount of marine mammal deaths each year.

Finally, the human-created pollution that is affecting the world's oceans is causing a wide variety of problems for dolphins, ranging from diseases to difficulty finding food. Dolphins do not mate for life.

Dolphin reproduction often involves putting on displays including posturing and vocalizations to attract a mate. Dolphins gestate for 12 months and calves are typically born tail first, and they are primarily cared for by the mothers and other related and unrelated females. Dolphin habitats can be are found around the world, from tropical to temperate regions. Although they are warm-blooded, they tend to avoid oceans near the Arctic and Antarctic. The bottlenose dolphin, one of the most well-known species, prefers water between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, each species has its own preferences. Dolphin habitats can be found everywhere from open oceans to coastlines to river basins. Some species are migratory and adapt well to changes in their environment. They can move to areas in their temperature range that offer sufficient numbers of fish.

Other species are closely tied to one place and come under threat when humans begin developing the area. This is home to several species including bottlenose, spinner, and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Dolphins who live in the deep ocean are better adapted to tolerating cold water than their shore-loving counterparts. Here you'll find the preferred home of bottlenose, humpback, and spotted dolphins. These species have been found from Nova Scotia to Patagonia and everywhere in between.

The Indian Ocean is the native environment for large numbers of bottlenose, spinner, and common dolphins. Off the coast of East Africa, you'll also find the highly endangered humpback dolphin. World Wildlife Organization. Dolphins are best known for living in the ocean, but there are also endangered freshwater varieties.

Did you know that there are dolphins in the Amazon River? The Amazon River dolphin is comparatively small, weighing up to pounds, and adults are bright pink. Despite living throughout the world, dolphins are currently facing a lot of threats. Climate change, pollution including trash and debris, and aggressive fishing operations are impacting all species of dolphins.

This is why marine mammal facilities are important for protecting and researching these animals. They are able to educate the public about these remarkable mammals, promote environmental stewardship, and give scientists an opportunity to understand the species more in depth.

Are dolphins endangered? Yes, there are dozens of species of dolphin that are endangered and now extinct. Some of the most threatened species are the ones that come into contact with humans most frequently.

This includes the Yangtze River dolphin, the Maui dolphin, the Ganges River dolphin, and the short-beaked common dolphin. Each of these species face significant challenges for their future. The Yangtze River dolphin is not officially considered extinct, but there have been no confirmed sightings for nearly 20 years. What may have happened? This species could have been a victim of human development including:. The Maui dolphin, found off the coast of New Zealand, is a highly endangered species with an estimated less than members left.

The species decline is due to many issues, one of which is that they are very slow breeders. Most dolphins reproduce an average of every couple of years, but for this species, it's years.

They also face threats to their habitats and food sources. Because it lives in some of the most populated areas of the world, this species is hit hard by human impact.

Some major threats include river pollution, lowered levels of river water, and dam building. The short-beaked common dolphin is found in the Mediterranean in declining numbers. These colorful animals are endangered by fishing accidents and the increasing pollution and trash building up in the Mediterranean Sea.

How can you help? Even small changes you make can have a big impact on the future of dolphins in the world. These include:. Most of the time, dolphins are not dangerous. Some are friendly and curious while others are skittish and avoid human contact. However, don't forget that dolphins are wild animals and can be unpredictable. Are you interested in swimming with dolphins? Don't do this in the wild; appreciate them from a distance.

However, if you want this experience, you can go to a marine facility and have a safe encounter there. Some do's and don'ts of watching dolphins in the wild include:. Do not feed wild dolphins. It teaches them to be dependent on humans, can lure them into dangerous areas along the shore, and encourages bad habits.

This last point is very important. Fishing lines, fish hooks, and discarded netting are one of the bigger threats to dolphins. Even if the animal manages to free itself, the resulting wounds attract predators and leave them vulnerable to infection. Dolphins and humans have had a long history together , from ancient times when fishermen and sailors watched pods of dolphins leap out of the water alongside their ships.