Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin

People all over the world recognize dolphins.  They are among the world’s smallest whales.  They are fast swimmers and great leapers which often travel in groups called pods.  Biologists who study dolphins have discovered that they are very intelligent and use sound to find their food and their way under water.  We call this ability echolocation.

Physical Description

Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins have a long body (up to 12 feet) that’s designed to slip through the water.  They have a pointed beak-like nose and mouth.  They are grayish on their backs and white or pinkish on their bellies.  They have pointed flippers, a powerful tail and triangular shaped fin on their back called a dorsal fin.

Family Life

A baby Bottlenose Dolphin is called a calf.  A calf will stay with its mother for up to 3 years.  Mother Bottlenose Dolphins will often spend time with other mothers and calves in large groups of more than 100 animals called a pod.  Bottlenose Dolphins will often hunt in family groups to work together and improve their chances of catching fish, squid and other prey.

Diet

Fish, squid, octopi and shrimp