Bottle Nose Dolphins

Here is some info on Bottle Nose Dolphins. We see them on both our Pelagic and our Great white shark trips, however they are not commonly spotted.

Bottle Nose Dolphins - also known as the Tursiops truncates.

Description

Bottlenose Dolphins are grey, varying from dark grey at the top near the dorsal fin to very light grey and almost white at the underside. This makes them harder to see both from above and below when swimming. The elongated upper and lower jaws form what is called the rostrum and give the animals their name of bottlenose. The real nose however is the blowhole on top of the head, and the nasal septum is visible when the blowhole is open.

Location

They are found off Cape Point, where the mixing of two great ocean currents occurs, an abundance of sea life is to be found. Bottlenose dolphins are very common and play in the shallows just behind the breakers, so they are regularly seen all along the False Bay coast.

Reproduction

Spring and summer or spring and autumn calving peaks are known for most populations

Habitat

Bottlenose dolphins inhabit the pelagic zone as well as harbors, bays.
Most dolphins undergo seasonal movements, probably as a response to variations in water temperature and food availability.

Population

The worldwide population of bottlenose dolphins is unknown. Bottlenose dolphins are not endangered

Body shape

A bottlenose dolphin has a sleek, streamlined, fusiform body.

Diet and Eating Habits

Dolphins are active predators and eat a wide variety of fishes, squids, and crustaceans such as shrimps. The foods available to a dolphin vary with its geographic location.