The bottlenose dolphin is the most known and recognisable of all the dolphins, and is the one that most associate with this animal.   The species is most well-known for the famous intelligent dolphin in the series and movie "Flipper".   When people think of the dolphin, it is this species that comes to mind - the smiling face of the bottlenose.&nbbsp;    A heavily bodied and robust animal, a bottlenose dolphin can measure up to 4 metres (6 to 12 feet), and weigh between 150 kg to 650 kg, making the bottlenose is one of the largest the dolphins.  Body length is more usually between 2.4 kg and 2.8 kg with males being slightly bigger.    Standing high on its back, the dorsal fin has a hooked-like tip and broad base, and is used for balance when swimming.     The "grin" that the bottlenose is most recognised for is caused by the lower jaw protruding beyond the upper jaw.   They are a silvery to purplish grey to lead in colour, with most being darker above and lighter below.    Some have known to be all white.   Stripes can occur from the eye to the flipper, eye rings and around the blowhole to the rostrum.   Some bottlenose have spots, which can confuse them with the Atlantic Spotted dolphins, and the young of the Atlantic Spotted are free of spotting so they can be mistaken for young bottlenose.

The bottlenose is found all throughout the world and is known to be adaptable to many regions, from the coast to the ocean of the tropical waters.   There are two types of this species - one that inhabits the ocean and islands, known as the off-shore, and the coastal form that is a little slimmer in its appearance.    Living in the waters of the bays, lagoons, and estuaries, they are sometimes found in rivers.

Bottlenose dolphins are known for their fast swimming abilities, and they can reach speeds of up to 26 kilometres per hour and even reported to to reach in excess of 30 km per hour!    Bow ride speeds have been observed at around 56 km per hour.    They have been seen leaping whilst swimming, and appear to enjoy somersaulting

Thought to be the most intelligent of the dolphin species, the bottlenose is a favourite by marine parks and the like for its dolphins shows and marine acts.   They are easily trainable, and hundreds are kept in captivity.    Their brain size is fairly large and they are believed to be highly intelligent.   The image to the right shows the size of the dolphin's brain in comparison to other animals, bringing it second to man.

Key Facts of the Bottlenose Dolphin

Adult size:  1.8 metres to 3.6 metres

Adult length:   150 to 650 kg

Lifespan:    Bottlenose dolphins can live up to 35 years in the wild.  Survival rate in captivity is similar to those in the wild, but the first year of

Habitat:   The Bottlenose Dolphins are widely distributed in cold temperatures to tropical seas worldwide.    It is usually a coastal animal but can be also be found very far out to sea.

Group size:    Dolphin groups, known as pods, comprise of numbers between one and ten and are generally found in shore, while groups of one to twenty-five are found offshore.    As many as 500 may occur offshore.

Behaviour:   A very intriguing creature, the bottlenose is highly active.   They frequently bow-ride and body surf the waves.   Powerful swimmers, they will chase fish up onto land and beach themselves, eating the fish before sliding back into the water.  They then repeat this again!!

Reproduction:    Mating appears to occur mainly in the spring and autumn months after which gestation lasts for about 12 months, and giving birth the following spring.     The female gives birth every two to three years.  She will then nurse her young for as long as four years.   Interbreeding amongst bottlenose with other species is quite common as the bottlenose appears to have a very strong sex drive.   They have bred with rough-toothed dolphins, risso's dolphin and even a false killer whale!!   Bottlenoses also bond strongly with their mates, and appear to throw "tantrums" in captivity if separated.

Calves:    Calves begin making weak whistling sounds to communicate at the moment of birth.   If separated from their mother, they will whistle constantly for days.      Females become sexually mature between the ages of 5 and 12, whereas for males between 10 and 12.

Diet & Feeding:   Fish, squid and sometimes krill and other crustaceans form a major part of the bottlenose dolphin's diet.  They also enjoy mullet, and basically anything they can catch.   The catching and consumption of sharks are not always successful, and one bottlenose choked to death whilst feasting on a leopard shark!    Swallowing their food whole is most usual, but sometimes they behead the fish before eating if they are larger.   Their teeth are often worn as they bite their food in two before swallowing.     Group behaviour for feeding is dependant on the situation.    Some chase fish individually, whilst other groups will hold a school of fish at bay while others feed, then they change places.   Feeding habits depend on their habitat .

Noteable features:    The Bottlenose Dolphin surfaces two or three times per minute while swimming and stays immersed for periods of seven to 10 minutes.    It cruises at speeds of 5 to 6 knots or 9.2 to 11km/hr, though it can go above speeds of 24 to 33.3km/hr.   This species occasionally plays in ships bow waves but it remains cautious around motor boats.   Herds comprising of about 40 dolphins have been sighted.   The Bottlenose Dolphin has been seen travelling with groups of Risso's Dolphins and Long Finned Pilot Whale.

Human relationship:    The Bottlenose has interacted with man for many years, and has the most involvement with man.    Most appear to enjoy playing and swimming with them.   Some even allow humans to ride them!   But despite their playful nature, playing with them can be dangerous, as they can take a human out to sea and not allow them to return until they are too tired to swim.   Although they are fun and intelligent, dolphins are not human and cannot be expected to behave as humans.    In Australia, although swimming with the dolphins is allowed, people cannot touch them.   When swimming human wastes like suntan lotion and the like can pollute the water and can harm be harmful to the dolphins.

Threats & Conservation:    There doesn't appear to be a real danger for the bottlenose, but they are taken in small numbers, whether by accident or deliberate.  If this continues however, their existence could be threatened.   Most are caught for eating, but interestingly in Turkey, they are taken for oil while in South America they are bait.    The bottlenose is a favourite for International trade to display, but many are used for research and captive breeding.   Illegal trading is probable, although none has been reported.   Trade is controlled strictly managing accommodation, care, use, sale and disposal of bottlenose dolphins after import.  In some countries, they are protected and fishing of cetaceans is illegal.

Other Bottlenose Dolphin Facts

Although often friendly animals, bottlenose dolphins are known to be the most aggressive dolphin species in the world.

The colour of their bellies ranges from light grey to pink.

Bottlenose dolphins often have many cuts or knicks on their body due to the fact that they (1) either fight amongst each other over a female, or (2) it is their way of showing one another how much they care.

People often believe that the bottlenose appears to always be smiling at them, but this is in fact the muscles in their mouth and their lower jaw protruding the upper that gives them that impression.