Bottlenose dolphin Facts
The bottlenose dolphin, genus Tursiops, is an intelligent toothed whale of the oceanic dolphin family, found in warm and temperate seas worldwide.
- Class
- Mammal
- Scientific name
- Tursiops
About the bottlenose dolphin
The genus holds three species: the common bottlenose dolphin, the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin and Tamanend's bottlenose dolphin. They turn up in warm and temperate seas everywhere except the Arctic and Antarctic Circle regions. The name mixes Latin tursio, meaning dolphin, with truncatus, a nod to the worn-down teeth of the first specimen described, which happened to be an old animal.
Researchers have studied their mimicry, use of artificial language, sorting of objects and self-recognition. Some use marine sponges as tools while foraging, and they pass learned behavior down through generations. Militaries have trained them to find sea mines and spot enemy divers. In some places they team up with fishermen, herding fish into nets and eating the ones that get away. People also hunt them, and many die as tuna-fishing bycatch or in crab traps.
Did you know?
- Bottlenose dolphins belong to Delphinidae, the family of oceanic dolphins.
- The Burrunan dolphin is sometimes treated as its own species and sometimes as a subspecies.
- Aquarium shows helped make bottlenose dolphins popular with the public.
Questions about the bottlenose dolphin
Where do bottlenose dolphins live?
In warm and temperate seas around the world, everywhere except the Arctic and Antarctic Circle regions.
Are bottlenose dolphins smart?
Studies show they can mimic, recognize themselves, categorize objects and pass cultural knowledge between generations.
Sources
- Wikidata Q149069, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Bottlenose dolphin, checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.