- How to Watch
- Where to Watch in the UK
- Regional Groups
- Species Identification
- Recommended Boat Operators in the UK
- Sea Watch Surveys
- Marine Code of Conduct
- If you find a stranding
Species Identification Guide
Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
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Length:
0.98-1.30m/3.2-4.3ft (newborn); 2.2-4.0m/7.3-13.2ft (adult).
Head and Beak:
The Bottlenose Dolphin has a robust head with distinct short beak, often white-tipped on lower jaw.
Fin and Markings:
Centrally-placed fairly tall, slender dorsal fin, usually sickle-shaped. Bottlenose Dolphins have a brown or dark grey back, lighter grey lower flanks grading to white on belly.
ID:
Bottlenose Dolphins are less agile than common or striped dolphins, but often breach and bow-ride. Absence of flank markings.
Status and Distribution:
The Bottlenose Dolphin is common along Atlantic Irish seaboard, Cardigan Bay (West Wales), Moray Firth (NE Scotland), and in the western Channel (Normandy and Brittany coasts), Atlantic coast of Portugal, and in the eastern Mediterranean. Bottlenose Dolphins are recorded in all months of the year.
View detailed distribution maps
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Media
Download Bottlenose Dolphin movie
Download Bottlenose Dolphin sounds