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What is a Bottlenose Dolphin?

By SamK on January 13, 2024
Category(s)
Bottlenose Dolphin

Bottlenose dolphins are intelligent, social mammals that inhabit warm and temperate seas worldwide. Known for their curved mouths giving the appearance of a friendly, permanent smile, they are a well-recognized species among dolphins.

Classification of the Bottlenose Dolphin:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Tursiops
Species: There are a few species, but the two most recognized are:

1. Tursiops truncatus (Common Bottlenose Dolphin)
2. Tursiops aduncus (Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin)

Bottlenose dolphins are renowned for their intelligence, which includes the use of complex vocalizations and echolocation for communication and hunting, respectively. They live in social groups called pods and are often seen engaging in playful behavior, making them a favorite among humans.