Bottlenose Dolphin

Probably the best-known dolphin is the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
It can grow to almost 4 meters long and weigh 500 kg. Its back is light grey to dark grey in color, the belly is white. The fin is sickle-shaped. The beak is short and strong. A characteristic feature is the upward slit in the mouth, which gives the impression of a smile. Bottlenose dolphins are found in tropical and temperate waters, both in the high seas and along the coasts. They live in small groups of up to 20 animals, but can also be found alone. In coastal areas, the populations are mostly dispersed.

The groups consist of several females with their young and a few males. Young males often form bachelor groups and move around together for years.

Bottlenose dolphins communicate with each other using body language as well as a variety of whistling and clicking sounds. Each animal also has a very characteristic, individual whistle as a recognition tone.

The bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus feeds on various species of fish and squid and has developed different hunting techniques and tool use depending on its habitat. Echolocation can be used to track down food, examine objects and in poor visibility conditions. This involves emitting high-frequency clicking sounds that reflect off objects to create an auditory image of the surroundings.

Dangers

Although the common bottlenose dolphin is a non-endangered species worldwide, local coastal populations in many countries are threatened to varying degrees. In most cases, the danger comes from the fishing industry, with hundreds of animals becoming entangled in nets with fatal consequences.

YAQU PACHA is working with researchers from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande FURG to protect endangered Lahille's bottlenose dolphins(Tursiops gephyreus) in the Lagoa dos Patos in Brazil.