Interesting Facts About Bottlenose Dolphins

Dolphins are known to have a special connection with man and this special relationship has only become stronger in the past few years. Dolphins are known to be the most intelligent creatures found in the depths of the oceans and to me, these are also the most beautiful as well. The Bottlenose dolphins are found in the warm and temperate seas the world over. Sometimes, the Bottlenose dolphins are also found in the Arctic and the Antarctic oceans as well. Read more interesting facts about Bottlenose dolphins right here!

Interesting Facts about Bottlenose Dolphins:

• Bottlenose dolphins are generally gray in color and this shade may turn darker towards the dorsal fin. One can see a very light gray color on the undersides of the bottlenose dolphin. Scientists claim there may be more than one species of the Bottlenose dolphin. Some of them can be listed as follows:
  
  - The Common Bottlenose Dolphin
  - The Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
  - The Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
  - The Black Sea Bottlenose Dolphin



• The scientific name for the Bottlenose dolphin is Tursiops truncates. This dolphin remains to be one of the most popular ones as well.
• Bottlenose dolphins generally live in small groups. Such groups contain up to 12 animals. Male Bottlenose dolphins generally live alone or in groups of 3.
• Bottlenose dolphins usually remain towards the surface area of the water when they try to sleep. They either swim slowly usually closing one eye. Bottlenose dolphins cannot go completely into deep sleep. They sleep for about 8 hours in this manner by letting only part of themselves fall asleep. Sometimes, they rest at the bottom of the water and rise occasionally every now and then, to breathe.
• Dolphins have an amazing presence of mind in difficult situations especially when it comes to helping others at large. This is proven when a young and playful Bottlenose dolphin helped a whale with her calf return back to the sea when the former were stranded at the Mahia beach in New Zealand. This incident happened on March 10, 2008. Despite efforts from the locals to help the whale were in progress, it was the playful Bottlenose dolphin that led the way and helped the whales return back to the sea.
• Bottlenose dolphins use the method of echolocation to track their prey. This method is employed by creating around 1,000 clicking noises per second. These sounds created by the Bottlenose dolphins travel underwater. When they encounter objects, the sounds are bounced back which return to the Bottlenose dolphins. The Bottlenose dolphins then get data such as location of the object along with the shape and size as well.
• Bottlenose dolphins show an exceptional connection with humans. These are especially helpful for divers since Bottlenose dolphins are known to rescue injured divers. These amazing sea creatures have helped divers raise to the surface of the water and save their lives in this manner.
• Bottlenose dolphins are known for their sharp eyesight. They have a good vision in air and even when they are underwater.
• Bottlenose dolphins use a variety of sounds such as squeaks and whistles to communicate. These also maintain a certain kind of body language such as leaping out of the water or slapping the tail on the surface of the water to convey certain messages.
• Bottlenose dolphins eat small fish, which form a major portion of their diet. Sometimes, they also eat crabs, squids, shrimps and other such small animals.
• Bottlenose dolphins sometimes also display aggressive behavior. Males are known to fight to be able to have access to the females. This aggressive behavior is especially displayed during mating season. This often involves acts such as head butting.
• The young ones of the Bottlenose dolphins live with their mother till they reach 6 years of age. The male Bottlenose dolphins do not really help in raising their young ones.

These interesting facts about Bottlenose dolphins can probably give you a glimpse that showcases the intelligence levels of these beautiful creatures. Here’s hoping that people realize their significance to humans and stop their killing for meat.