Common Bottlenose Dolphin |Sanctuaire pour les mammifères marins Agoa

(Tursiops truncatus)

Identity card

Taxonomy

Order: Odontocetes
Family: Delphinidae
Species: Tursiops truncatus

Measurements

1.9 to 4.1 m, weighing 150 to 650 kg

Lifespan

35 to 50 years

IUCN status

Least Concern
(International Red List, Martinique 2020 Red List)

Near Threatened
(Guadeloupe 2022 Red List)

Listen to the clicks made by the Common Bottlenose Dolphin to find its way around, hunt and communicate.

https://soundcloud.com/ofbiodiversite/lecholocalisation-chez-le-grand-dauphin-tursiops-truncatus

Habitat

Observed in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Common Bottlenose Dolphin can be found in most parts of the world except for polar waters. Two types of Tursiops dolphins can be distinguished: the pelagic ones, which are very mobile, and the coastal ones, which are becoming rather sedentary and involuntarily attracting tourist curiosity.

Reproduction

There is no defined breeding period. After a gestation period of one year, the mother gives birth to a calf every 2 to 3 years.

Diet

Common Bottlenose Dolphins are carnivores and feed on fish, crustaceans and cephalopods.

Socialisation

The Common Bottlenose Dolphin is a very social species and individuals are closely related within a group. They interact with each other by whistling, snapping their jaws or physical contact such as biting.

Morphological characteristics for identification at sea

Head: distinct melon shape, strong demarcation with the beak
Fins: high sickle-shaped dorsal fin
Swim sequence: tail snapping, head snapping, muzzle up and out of the water
Colouring: light grey (coastal form) to dark grey (pelagic) coat

Click on the link to see the Common Bottlenose Dolphin in 3D:

Common Bottlenose Dolphin in 3D

Did you know?

Highly demonstrative, they have been widely used as attractions in dolphinariums and trained for films. Today, more and more countries are restricting these activities deemed as violating animal welfare.