Nursing Duration A calf may nurse for up to 18 to 24 months. Successful births and rearing have been witnessed up through 48 years of age in the Sarasota dolphin population. Gestation Approximately 12 months Estral Period Roughly 12 month anestrus followed by an approximate 12 month polyestrus consisting of at least 3 distinct cycles, all of which are typically focused in the late spring. There is little to no indication of senescence (menopause) in the female bottlenose dolphin. Many dolphins eat only fish, although some also eat small numbers of cephalopods, crustaceans, small rays, and sharks. The diet of coastal bottlenose dolphins is diverse and depends upon geographical location. Male: Physically mature males tend to be more massive than physically mature females Diet Dolphins are active predators and eat a wide variety of fishes, squids, and crustaceans such as shrimps. Newborn calves weigh approximately 20 kg (44 lbs.) Male: Males may be slightly larger than females Weight Coastal ecotype: average 190 to 260 kg (419 to 573 lbs.) Size Coastal ecotype: average 2.5 to 2.7 m (8.2 to 8.9 ft.)Ītlantic bottlenose dolphins as a whole are typically smaller than Pacific bottlenose dolphins however, bottlenose dolphins frequenting cooler, temperate waters in either ocean tend to exhibit sizes indicative of the relatively larger offshore ecotype.Ĭalves are approximately 111 to 116.3 cm (43.7 to 45.7 in.) long at birth. Comparatively, the offshore ecotype typically exhibit larger average body size and darker coloration, among other morphological distinctions. The coastal ecotype typically exhibits smaller average body size with relatively larger flipper size. It should be noted that two distinct ecotypes are recognized. Said rostrum generally contains 72 to 104 conically-shaped, homogenous teeth, with tooth counts varying among individuals. The source of their common name, bottlenose dolphins exhibit a pronounced anterior rostrum (often referred to as a beak), typically 7 to 8 cm (3 in.) in length. They have a streamlined fusiform body shape. Scientific Classification Common Name bottlenose dolphin, Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, Pacific bottlenose dolphin, bottle-nosed dolphin Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Cetacea Suborder Odontoceti Family Delphinidae Genus Species Tursiops truncatusįast Facts Description Bottlenose dolphins are light to dark gray over their dorsal surface, fading into a white or cream along their ventral region.
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