# Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

- Web page: https://www.funwildfacts.com/norden/mammal/common-bottlenose-dolphin
- Published: 2026-02-24
- Last updated: 2026-02-26

## Overview

The common bottlenose dolphin is one of the most recognized cetaceans in the world, featuring a robust, streamlined body, a prominent rostrum, and a distinctive upward curve to the mouth that gives the appearance of a permanent smile. Their coloration follows a counter-shading pattern, dark gray on the dorsal side fading to lighter gray or white on the belly, providing camouflage in open water. These highly intelligent animals live in complex social groups and communicate through a rich array of clicks, whistles, and burst-pulse sounds. They use echolocation to navigate and locate prey such as fish, squid, and crustaceans with remarkable precision. Bottlenose dolphins are well known for their curiosity toward boats and humans, and have been observed using tools such as marine sponges to protect their rostrums while foraging on the seafloor. Cooperative hunting strategies, including herding fish against shorelines and creating mud rings, demonstrate their advanced problem-solving abilities.

## Quick facts

- Weight: 150–650 kg
- Length: 1.9–3.9 m
- Top Speed: 55 km/h
- Lifespan: 20–60 yrs
- Diet: Carnivore
- Conservation Status: Least Concern

## Habitat

Common bottlenose dolphins inhabit warm and temperate oceans worldwide, from shallow coastal lagoons, estuaries, and coral reefs to deeper offshore waters. They are highly adaptable and can be found in a wide range of marine environments.

- Ocean
- Coast
- Reef

## Seasonal Behavior

In temperate regions, some populations undertake seasonal movements toward warmer waters during winter months. Calving and mating peaks often occur in spring and summer, though timing varies by geographic location.

## Breeding

- Gestation: 365 days
- Offspring: 1–1 

## Behavior & Ecology

- Activity Pattern: Diurnal
- Social Behavior: Bottlenose dolphins live in fluid social units called pods, typically ranging from 2 to 15 individuals, though larger aggregations of hundreds can form. They maintain strong social bonds through play, cooperative hunting, and extensive vocal communication.
- Migration: Partial Migrant
- Population: The global population is estimated to exceed 600,000 individuals across all subspecies and populations. The species is listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, though some localized populations face threats from habitat degradation and fisheries bycatch.

## Did you know?

- Each bottlenose dolphin develops a unique signature whistle that acts like a personal name, used by other dolphins to address specific individuals.
- They can dive to depths of around 300 meters and hold their breath for up to 7 minutes.
- Bottlenose dolphins have one of the largest brain-to-body-size ratios of any non-human animal, reflecting their exceptional intelligence.
- They sleep with only half their brain at a time, a process called unihemispheric slow-wave sleep, allowing them to remain conscious and continue breathing.

## Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Animalia
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Delphinidae
- Species: Tursiops truncatus

## Image

- URL: https://images.djurfakta.com/animals/common-bottlenose-dolphin/1.jpg
- Photo: NASA
- License: Public domain

## Other languages

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- da: https://www.dyrefakta.com/da/norden/mammal/stor-tummarnos
- no: https://www.dyrefakta.com/norden/mammal/stor-tummarnos