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Dolphins are not fish, they are mammals. They are warm blooded like man, and give birth  to one baby called a calf at a time. They live up to 40 years of age. They  are highly sociable animals, living in pods which are fairly fluid, with dolphins from other pods interacting with eachother from time to time.

1. Bottlenose dolphins inhabit temperate and tropical waters throughout the  world. 2. In the Pacific Ocean, bottlenose dolphins are found from northern Japan  and California to Australia and Chile. They are also found offshore in the  eastern tropical Pacific as far west as the Hawaiian islands. Off the California coast bottlenose dolphins have been observed as far north as Monterey, particularly during years of unusual warmth (Wells, et al., 1990). 3. In the Atlantic Ocean, bottlenose dolphins are found from Nova Scotia and Norway to Patagonia and the tip of South Africa. They are the most abundant dolphin species along the United States from Cape Cod through the Gulf of  Mexico. 4. Bottlenose dolphins are also found in the Mediterranean Sea, and in the Indian Ocean from Australia to South Africa.

1. Bottlenose dolphins inhabit the pelagic zone as well as harbors, bays, lagoons, gulfs and estuaries.

2. In the northwest Atlantic, there seem to be at least two ecotypes (forms) of the bottlenose dolphin. They can be differentiated by skull and body measurements as well as by characteristics of their blood (Hersh and Duffield, 1990) .

         a. In general, the coastal ecotype seems to be adapted for warm, shallow waters. Its smaller body and larger flippers suggest increased maneuferability and heat dissipation (Hersh and Duffield, 1990). These dolphins frequent harbors, bays, lagoons and estuaries.

         b. In general, the offshore ecotype seems to be adapted for cooler, deeper waters. Certain characteristics of their blood indicate that this form may be better suited for deep diving. Its larger body helps to conserve heat and defend itself against predators (Hersh and Duffield, 1990).

Distribution

Habitat

Migration

1. Variations in water temperature, migration of food fish, and feeding  habits may account for the seasonal movements of some dolphins to and from  certain areas (Duffield and Chamerlin-Lea, 1990; Shane, et al., 1986).

2. Some coastal dolphins in higher latitudes show a clear tendency toward  seasonal migrations, traveling further south in the winter. Those in warmer waters show less extensive, localized seasonal movements (Shane, et al.,  1986).

3. Some coastal animals stay within a limited home range (an area in which individuals or groups regularly move about during day-to-day activities). Home ranges may overlap (Duffield and Chamberlin-Lea, 1990; Wells and Scott, 1991).

Most dolphins undergo seasonal movements, probably as a response to variations in water temperature and food availability.
(Photo by Rrandall S. Wells.)

Population

1. The worldwide population of bottlenose dolphins is unknown. Specific bottlenose dolphin populations in a few areas have been estimated.

         a. In the United States Gulf of Mexico, their numbers are estimated to be at least 67,000 (Blaylock, et al., 1995).

         b. The populations found in the western North Pacific and along Japanese coasts are estimated at about 35,000 (Klinowska, 1991).

         c. In U.S. waters of the western North Atlantic, the bottlenose population is estimated at about 11,700. Of course, at least 9.200 are offshore animals (Blaylock et al., 1995).

         d. The Mediterranean population is estimated at less than 10,000 (Klinowska, 1991).

2. Bottlenose dolphins are not endangered.

3. Chromosome banding techniques have proven useful in bottlenose dolphin population studies. Scientists can identify individuals and determine relationships among dolphins in a group (Duffiel and Chamberlin-Lea, 1990).

Pushing through green waters
Symbol of joy
You leap from the depths
To touch the sky
Scattering spray
Like handfuls of jewels

Not caged by union rules
Unfettered by sales targets
No trains  or planes to catch
Your time is set by the flow
Of the sea's tides
And the moon's glow

You give us images of ecstasy
That we  lock away
Behind the doors of memory
For quiet moments
when released  from our possessions
We dream of a freedom like yours

by Horace  Dobbs