Tanvi Patel Mrs.Jalil H. Biology / 1A 5/21/12 Bottlenose Dolphins!

General Description: Mammals Whale Family Scientific Name Tursiops truncatus Family Delhinidae 180-400 cm can grow to Weigh, 90-650 kg Body color varies throughout populations but basically dark blue-gray or brown-gray dorsal surface and pale pinkish or whitish underbelly Population / Area of origin Found in temperate and tropical waters throughout the world o Pacific ocean from north Japan to California and Chile to Australia o Atlantic Ocean From Norway to tip of South Africa (most abundant dolphins form cape cod to gulf of mexico o Also in Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean from Australia to South African Habitat/Adaption/Predators Inhabit the open sea, harbors, bays, lagoons, gulfs, and estuaries Basically, 2 types of Bottlenose Dolphins coastal and offshore o Coastal adapted to warmer, shallower waters o Smaller body, larger flippers easier to move and release heat o Offshore cooler, deeper waters o Larger body conserves heat and helps defend against large predators Predators o Great white, tiger, and bull sharks will prey on young dolphins o Humans japan, thousands of dolphins are killed for their meat Role of species in ecosystem Dolphins are the top-level predators in an ecosystem they control the populations and keep the ecosystem in balance They also help fight infectious diseases among fish populations, helping keep the populations growing. Feeding Bottlenose Dolphins are Carnivores o Variety of fishes o Squids o Crustaceans (shrimp) Form and Function Hearing o Have excellent hearing about 9 times better than humans Eyesight o Can see well both in and out of water Smell

o Have limited sense of smell Movement/Support Pectoral flippers used to steer Flukes propel the dolphin through the water Doral Fins (not essential) help stabilize dolphin as it swims Reproduction Females sexually mature at 2.3 meters or 5-12 years Males sexually mature at 2.4-2.6 meters or 10-12 years Females responsible for initiating courtship and breeding behavior 12 month baby is in womb Can breed and mate all year long Can have babies every 2 years but watch over calf for 3 years (on average) Fun Facts Dolphins can only let one half of their brain sleep at a time o Have to be conscious to breathe Deepest Dive recorded for a bottlenose dolphin is 300 meters of 990 feet Dolphins live in water but as desert animals o Ocean water is too salty so get most water from the food they eat. o Kidneys are adapted to retain as much as water as possible