Page 118 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
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Spotters’ guide

Bottlenose dolphins

See nature’s greatest acrobats in their natural
habitat in almost any ocean around the world

Bottlenose dolphins can be found in bow-riding and leaping through the freshly
almost every ocean. They generally live in churned water is a dolphin’s equivalent BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN
Tursiops truncatus

coastal waters and can even be spotted of surfing. Taking a boat trip through a
Class Mammalia
from beaches. Bottlenose dolphins can be well-known dolphin area is likely to attract
seen at all times of the year, but tend to some animals, although it’s often best to
be most abundant in the warmer months leave the boat operation to the experts.
when they give birth to calves. Notoriously playful and curious,
Territory Tropical and
From Scotland’s Moray Firth to the tip of bottlenose dolphins are known to
temperate waters
South Africa, these animals are distributed approach swimmers. Those looking for Diet Fish
worldwide. They can be seen from land an up-close experience can swim, snorkel Lifespan Up to 50 years
Adult weight 500kg (1100lb)
regularly, but spotters may want to take a or even SCUBA dive in dolphin territory.
Conservation Status
specific tour to see them up close. Those But remember they are still wild animals,

taking a dolphin-watching cruise should and are still equipped with a row of sharp
wrap up warm because it gets extremely teeth and a muscular body. It’s always best LEAST CONCERN
cold out on the water. Taking a camera to do a trip like this with an experienced
is always a good idea to capture playful company to make sure swimmers are
dolphins in mid-air. safe at all times. Wild dolphins should not
Dolphins are also known for riding in be approached or pursued, but are quite
the waves a boat creates. This is called likely to inspect people in the water.
5 places around the
world to see dolphins

AK Wildlife Cruises, UK
www.akwildlifecruises.co.uk
Operating all year round, this company spots
dolphins, whales and seals on a regular basis.
Newport Landing Whale Watching, USA
www.newportwhales.com
Operating from Long Beach California,
spotters can take tours by boat or by plane.
Dolphin Watch Cruises, Australia
www.dolphinwatch.com.au
Leaving from Jervis Bay in southern Australia,
these 90 minute trips provide cover from the sun.
Dolphin Swims, Egypt
www.dolphinswims.co.uk
This company take snorkellers out to dolphin areas
for the chance to swim with the wild animals.
Advantage Tours, South Africa
www.advantagetours.co.za
See dolphins and humpback whales off the western

coast of South Africa, or even take a hippo tour.
Bottlenose dolphin range

“Notoriously playful and

curious, bottlenose
dolphins are known to
©Alamy approach swimmers”

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