Animal Profiles
Mammals

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The common bottlenose dolphin is a social marine mammal with a curved dorsal fin. Coastal and offshore populations hunt a variety of aquatic prey.

Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose dolphin)

At a glance

Location
Common bottlenose dolphins occupy tropical and warm-temperate seas. Bays, estuaries, shorelines and offshore waters support populations with different feeding habits.
Habitat
Coast, Open ocean
Diet
Piscivore
Food
Fish, squid and other marine animals are captured, with prey varying between locations.

Classification

Common name
Bottlenose Dolphin
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Tursiops truncatus
Taxon rank
species
Order
Cetacea
Family
Delphinidae
Genus
Tursiops
Source classification
Mammalia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Measurements

Size and speed

Length
2.28 to 3.81 m combined adult female and male range

Typical adult ranges. Source: Animal Diversity Web.

Three things to know

  • It breathes air through a blowhole.
  • Its tail flukes propel it through water.
  • Social groups can split and reunite.

Habitat and range

Common bottlenose dolphins occupy tropical and warm-temperate seas. Bays, estuaries, shorelines and offshore waters support populations with different feeding habits.

Appearance and adaptations

A streamlined grey body, front flippers and a curved dorsal fin suit swimming. Blubber helps insulate the body.

Diet and behaviour

Fish, squid and other marine animals are captured, with prey varying between locations. Individuals form flexible social groups, including mothers with calves and associations among males. Coastal feeding differs from hunting in deeper offshore water.

Sources

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