Bottlenose Dolphin: Similarities And Differences

The bottlenose dolphin, scientifically known as the Tursiops truncates, belongs to the kingdom, Animalia and the phylum, Chordata. The dolphin also falls under the Mammalia class. They are specifically classified in the order, Cetacea and the family, Delphinidae. This dolphin is most closely related to the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, or the Tursiops aduncus. This cousin of the bottlenose dolphin was originally grouped as the same species as the common bottlenose. However, now these dolphins are classified as closely related, but still as separate species. Although the Indo-Pacific bottlenose appears and behaves similarly to the common bottlenose, they have distinct differences. The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins are generally smaller

Specifically, they are found around the equatorial zone. This zone ranges from below the 45 in the Northern hemisphere and above the 45 in the Southern hemisphere. They are found in the temperate tropical waters of harbors, bays, estuaries, lagoons, and river mouths. Some bottlenose dolphins migrate; however, others have limited home ranges (American Cetacean Society 2006). If there are healthy populations of these dolphins, it indicates a healthy marine ecosystem (Jenkins 2009).

Bottlenose dolphins have several features that have adapted in order to survive in their habitat. They have a spindle body shape that allows them to move quickly through the water. Typically, the dolphins swim at speeds from three to seven miles per hour. When they are not swimming at these routine speeds, they can reach maximum speeds of eighteen to twenty-two miles per hour. If they are swimming at their maximum, or burst, speed, they can only last a few seconds. If they are swimming at routine speeds, on the other hand, they can last for long periods of

The males will sometimes form temporary alliances with other males in order to find a mate. Otherwise, the males are very aggressive with each other when competing for a female. The females have a gestation period of about 12 months. The calves develop their signature whistle as young as one month which allows them to maintain contact with their mother through their nursing period, lasting twelve to eighteen months, and through the following three to six years in which they learn important tasks for survival. Fortunately, their whistle also gives the location and emotional state of the individual dolphin. These dolphins also protect their injured by holding them at the surface of the water and by protecting them from threats.

The traits and behaviors of the bottlenose dolphin are very unique and often exceed the abilities of humans. Similar to humans, the dolphins have excellent eyesight which allows them to see above and below water. Their hearing, however, is something that exceeds humans and even dogs and cats. Through echolocation, the dolphins are able to have a sound frequency of 120 kHz. Dogs and cats, that have better hearing that humans, only reach 45 kHz for dogs and 65 kHz in cats. Humans with the most extraordinary hearing only have the ability to reach 20