Bottlenose Dolphins
Bottlenose dolphins are the most prevalent members of the Delphinidae family. These creatures are renowned for their charisma and intelligence. Their curved mouths give off the appearance of a friendly smile. It’s so fun to see these dolphins swimming out in the wild! Rock Bottom Charters offers dolphin tours, where you can enjoy up-close encounters with dolphins and other marine life. While out on one of our dolphin tours, you’ll also get to see many of the local historical sights along the Gulf Coast.
Basic Facts:
- Bottlenose dolphins are carnivores.
- A group of bottlenose dolphins is referred to as a pod. A pod typically consists of around 10-15 bottlenose dolphins.
- Bottlenose dolphins typically live between 45 to 50 years in the wild.
- Bottlenose dolphins can grow to be 10 to 14 feet long.
- On average, bottlenose dolphins weigh around 1,100 pounds.
As I mentioned before, Bottlenose Dolphins are incredibly intelligent. They travel in social groups called pods and communicate with one another using whistles and squeaking noises. Pods have even been known to help injured dolphins rise to the surface for air.
Dolphins can reach speeds of more than 18mph in the wild. They head to the surface 2-3 times per minute to breathe. Bottlenose dolphins track their prey using echolocation. Echolocation is the use of echoes and sound waves to determine where objects are. Dolphins can make up to 1,000 clicking sounds per second, and those sounds travel underwater until they reach objects, then they bounce back to the dolphins to reveal the location, shape, and size of the object.
Dolphins often target bottom-dwelling fish, but they have also been known to eat squid and shrimp. Dolphins have even been spotted following fishing boats in hopes that they can dine on some leftovers.
Dolphins are found in tropical oceans around the world. While they were once hunted down for meat and oil, which were used for lamps and cooking, today only a limited amount of dolphin fishing occurs.
Fun Facts About Bottlenose Dolphins
- I mentioned before that bottlenose dolphins eat a variety of food, from bottom-dwelling fish to shrimp and even squids. But did you know that they need to consume around 13-15 pounds of food per day?
- Did you know that bottlenose dolphins can breach up to 16 feet out of the water? That’s quite a way to make a splash!
- Bottlenose dolphins like to have fun. They enjoy surfing the waves and swimming through self-made bubble rings.
- Dolphins have an excellent sense of hearing. Researches believe that sounds travel through the dolphin’s lower jaw and to its inner ear before finally being transmitted to the brain for analysis.
- Bottlenose dolphins aren’t classified as endangered. However, these creatures are still threatened by illegal hunting, commercial fishing nets, and pollution.
Bottlenose dolphins are amazing creatures! If you’re looking to spend the day with friends and family, why not head outdoors and go looking for some dolphins with us at Rock Bottom Charters? Let’s go!
