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Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Photo of Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Key facts

Scientific name
Tursiops truncatus
Common name
Common bottlenose dolphin
Category
Marine mammals
Family
Delphinidae
Genus
Tursiops
Size
200–400 cm
Depth
0–500 m
IUCN status
Least concern (LC)
Danger level
Harmless
Habitats
open-water
Behaviours
schooling, fast-moving
Ocean zones
Mediterranean, East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Caribbean, Asian Pacific, Eastern Pacific

Description

Tursiops truncatus reaches 4 m and 650 kg. Robust dolphin dark gray above, light gray to white below, characteristic short thick rostrum. Circumglobal distribution in temperate to tropical waters. Social, lives in pods of 10 to 30 individuals, sometimes more. Extremely intelligent, uses tools, mirror recognition. Frequent encounters in Azores, Madeira, Canaries, Gibraltar on dolphin trips or pelagic diving. Flagship species of cetacean sanctuaries.

Photo of Common bottlenose dolphin

Photo of Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)Photo of Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)Photo of Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Common bottlenose dolphin?
Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) reaches 200–400 cm in length.
At what depth can you find the Common bottlenose dolphin?
Common bottlenose dolphin is found between 0–500 m deep.
Is the Common bottlenose dolphin dangerous to divers?
Danger level: Harmless.
What is the conservation status of the Common bottlenose dolphin?
IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
Where can you find the Common bottlenose dolphin?
Found in: Mediterranean, East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Caribbean, Asian Pacific, Eastern Pacific.

Other species in the genus Tursiops

  • Tursiops aduncus - Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

Other species in the family Delphinidae

  • Stenella frontalis - Atlantic spotted dolphin
  • Delphinus delphis - Common dolphin
  • Globicephala macrorhynchus - Short-finned pilot whale
  • Orcinus orca - Killer whale
  • Globicephala melas - Long-finned pilot whale
  • Pseudorca crassidens - False Killer Whale

Sources

  • Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 137111)
  • Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
  • Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2440447)
  • Conservation: IUCN Red List
  • Encyclopedia: Wikipedia