Interim Report on the Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Creature Feature. Tursiops truncatus 6-13 ft in length and weigh 330-1400 lbs Diet consists mainly...
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Transcript of Creature Feature. Tursiops truncatus 6-13 ft in length and weigh 330-1400 lbs Diet consists mainly...
Creature FeatureCreature Feature
Tursiops truncatus
6-13 ft in length and weigh 330-1400 lbsDiet consists mainly of eels, squid, shrimp
and wide variety of fishesWorks together in groups to harvest
schools of fishSwallows food whole
SleepingOne brain
hemisphere remains active while the other hemisphere shuts downSleeping cycle lasts for approximately 8 hours during each 24 hour periodIn increments of several minutes (or less) to
several hours. While sleeping, dolphins remain near the surface
swimming slowly or "logging", occasionally closing one eye
ReproductionMale has a slit on his
belly which contains his retractable penis
Mating occurs with the male and female in contact belly to belly
Males can produce highly concentrated sperm, but only during the mating season
Don’t waste energy on sperm production during times when sex is mostly social
ConservationMarine Mammal
Protection ActOften caught as bycatch
High levels of metal contaminants have been measured in tissue samples
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