12/19/2024
Here are 10 fun facts about Bottlenose Dolphins:
1. Bottlenose Dolphins are marine mammals that live in tropical and temperate oceans around the world. This includes the waters off the UK and Ireland!
2. They have a short thick beak and a curved mouth, giving the appearance that they are always smiling. They are usually grey in color and measure around 6 to 13 feet in length!
3. They are social creatures that travel in groups, called pods, of around 10-15. In these groups they play and hunt together, as well as cooperate to raise young dolphin calves.
4. Bottlenose Dolphins are super swimmers, gliding through the water using their curved dorsal fin on their back, a powerful tail and pointed flippers. They can reach speeds over 18-20MPH and dive as deep as 820 feet!
5. They are awesome acrobats too, and can be seen flipping or "breaching" out of the water. In fact, they can launch themselves up to 16-20 feet before crashing back down with a splash! There are different theories as to why they do this-it could be to get a better view of things in the distance, clean parasites off their bodies, communicate with other pods or just for some fun!
6. Although they live underwater, the bottlenose dolphin must come up to the surface to breath air. It breathes through what's called a "blowhole", a hole at the top of its head. They can hold their breath underwater for around 7 minutes!
7. They are leaders in communication. They send each other messages by squeaks and whistles and also use body language.
8. They also produce very high-pitched clicks to help them navigate and find food, a process called "echolocation." When the clicking sounds hit an object in the water-such as a rock or fish-they bounce back to the dolphin as echoes. Form this, it can work out the location, size and shape of the object.
9. Carnivores, they eat mostly fish, but will also eat crustaceans such as shrimp and squid too.
10. Thankfully, bottlenose dolphins are not classified as endangered. However, illegal hunting, fishing nets and pollution pose threats to these magnificent animals.
Come join us to see these awesome animals up close and personal!
Credit: National Geographic
Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from ParrotDise Express Tour Boats, Boat Tour Agency, 51 Main Street, Dunedin, FL.
