ABC's of the Bottlenose Dolphin

Written and illustrated by Kayleigh Owen

is for Aquatic

Bottlenose Dolphins are aquatic animals.

is for Blowhole

The Bottlenose Dolphin breathes through it's blowhole, which is on top of their head. The Bottlenose Dolphin breathes four to five times, every minute.

is for Communication

The Bottlenose Dolphin uses communication to socialize with other dolphins. Dolphins produce sounds with their nasal passage.

is for Dorsal Fin

The Bottlenose Dolphin has a Dorsal Fin on the center of their back. This helps them to keep balance as they swim through the ocean.

is for Ears

The Bottlenose Dolphin's ears are small flaps located behind their eyes.

is for Fin

The Bottlenose Dolphin has a pectoral fin on each side of their body. Dolphins used their fins to help them steer while swimming.

is for Grow

Male Bottlenose Dolphins grow longer and heavier than female dolphins.

is for Habitat

The Bottlenose Dolphin habitat ranges between coastal waters to the open ocean.

is for Intelligent

Bottlenose Dolphins are extremely intelligent.

is for Jaw

Bottlenose Dolphins have 18 to 26 teeth on each side of their upper and lower jaws.

is for Kilogram

In general, Bottlenose Dolphins weight between 150 to 200 kilograms. That's between 330 and 340 pounds!

is for Lifespan

The average lifespan of the Bottlenose Dolphin is twenty years. However, they can live up to fifty years old.

is for Mammal

The Bottlenose Dolphin is a mammal. This means that they are warm blooded and breathe through their lungs-just like us!

is for Name

Bottlenose Dolphins get their name from their short, beaklike mouth.

is for Ocean

The Bottlenose Dolphin can be found living in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

is for Population

The population of Bottlenose Dolphins is unknown.

is for Quick

Dolphins swim at three to seven miles per hour. To quicken their speed, dolphins jump out of the water.

is for Rescue

The Seaworld Parks Rescue team works to rescue, rehabilitate, and release Bottlenose Dolphins that have been injured or stranded along United States coasts.