nother
species, the harbor porpoise.]

Description

Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins reach a maximum overall length of about 12
feet (3.7 m) and weigh in excess of 1,430 pounds (650 kg). They have
relatively stubby snouts and dorsal fins, which are broad at the base,
tall, and falcate. Coloration varies slightly, but individuals are
usually dark gray on the back, lighter gray on the side, grading to
white or pink on the belly. Old females may have spots on the belly. The
dark coloration of the back often appears as a highly distinct cape,
particularly on the head.

Natural History Notes

Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins often occur in groups of up to several
hundred individuals which usually consist of aggregations of small
groups of no more than a dozen animals each. They frequently associate
with the Atlantic pilot whales and are frequently found accompanying the
right and humpback whales travelling along the Atlantic coast of
Florida.

Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins have catholic tastes, feeding on shrimp,
eels, catfish, menhadden mullet, and miscellaneous trash fish, to
mention only a few. They are frequently found near shrimp boats, feeding
on fish stirred up by the trawls or on discarded trash fish.

They sometimes move in to ride the bow wave of a vessel, turning on
their sides, sometimes spinning completely around on their longitudinal
axis when doing so. Individuals may also turn their heads downward or to
the side. They are often found close to shore, in bays and lagoons, and
sometimes venture up the larger rivers. Some individuals, especially the
larger animals, are found as far offshore as the edge of the continental
shelf. Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins sometimes ride the surf.
Individuals may jump clear of the water as high as 15-20 feet (4.6-6.1
m), a behavior on which aquarium shows have capitalized.

Members of this species are the dolphins most commonly maintained in
captivity at zoos, aquariums, marine parks, and research institutions.
For that reason, they are perhaps more familiar to the general public
than any other species of porpoise, dolphin, or whale.

May Be Confused With

From at least Cape Hatteras southward, the range of the Atlantic
bottlenosed dolphins distributed in inshore areas may overlap with that
of Atlantic spotted dolphins, particularly during the spring and summer,
when the Atlantic spotted dolphins move inshore. There the two species
may be confused. The Atlantic bottl