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Common Bottlenose Dolphin



Common Bottlenose Dolphin

Scientific Name : Tursiops truncatus


  • IUCN: Not endangered/Least Concern
  • Other names: Tursiops
  • Swahili name: Pomboo pua ya chupa
  • Length: 2.4-3.8m
  • Weight: 170-250kg
  • Life expectancy: approx. 50 years
  • Abundance: Inshore and offshore in tropical, subtropical and temperate waters worldwide
  • Occurrence: Year-round
  • Primary prey: Fish and squid
  • Conservation status: Bycatch dangers due to fisheries.
  • Quick key identification: Short stocky bottlenose beak, grey above, whitish below and generally not dark spots on the belly. Large curved dorsal fin near middle of back. Have 18 to 26 teeth on each side of the upper and lower jaws, a total of 72 to 104 teeth.
The common bottlenose dolphin is one of the most widespread cetaceans and can be found in most of the tropical-temperate seas around the world. Sometimes confused with Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin and/or melon-headed whale.