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COMMON DOLPHIN
Tursiops Truncatus
Order
Odontoceti
Family
Delphinidae
These dolphins live up to around 35–50 years, measure between 1.9 and 4.1 meters, and weigh between 150 and 650 kg. They are carnivores and feed mainly on fish that swim near the surface (mackerel, flying fish…), but also on crustaceans and cephalopods in coastal areas.
Observed in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, bottlenose dolphins are found throughout most of the globe, except in polar waters. Two types of Tursiops dolphins can be distinguished: pelagic ones, which are highly mobile, and coastal ones, which tend to be more sedentary and unintentionally attract the curiosity of tourists
There is no defined breeding season. After a one-year gestation, females give birth to a calf every 2 to 3 years.
- Source : AGOA
Head
Prominent melon, strong demarcation with the beak.
Fin
Tall falcate dorsal fin.
Swimming sequence
Tail slaps, head slaps, snout held vertically out of the water.
Coloration
Light grey coloration (coastal form) to dark grey (pelagic form).
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