WildlifeMarine life

Bottlenose dolphins

Known for its intelligence, playfulness and strong social bonds, the bottlenose dolphin lives in warm and temperate seas around the world. It is one of the most familiar dolphins and can also be seen off Türkiye's coasts.

Length
2–4 m
Weight
150–650 kg
Lifespan in the wild
40–60 years
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least concern (LC)

Figures are approximate for adults and vary by sex, subspecies and population.

At a glance

The key facts about Bottlenose dolphins.

In depth

Wild animals are not pets. If you find an injured or young wild animal, do not touch it — contact your local wildlife authority.

In short

  • The bottlenose is one of the best-known dolphin species.
  • It finds prey using echolocation, the echoes of its own sounds.
  • Each dolphin is thought to have its own "signature whistle".
  • It occurs along Türkiye's Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.
  • The IUCN lists it as Least Concern globally; some regional populations are at risk.

The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is a marine mammal with a short, thick beak, grey colouring and a curved dorsal fin. Although it looks like a fish, it breathes with lungs and feeds its calf milk.

Where does it live?

Bottlenose dolphins live worldwide in warm and temperate seas, both close to shore and offshore. In Türkiye they can be seen along the Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.

What does it eat?

Their main food is fish, squid and crustaceans. They find prey by echolocation: they make high-frequency sounds and use the returning echoes to sense the position, size and shape of nearby objects. Some groups develop shared hunting strategies.

Behaviour and social life

Bottlenose dolphins live in groups called pods, whose membership can change over time. They communicate with whistles, clicks and body movements. Research suggests each dolphin uses its own "signature whistle" that works much like a name.

Calves

Pregnancy lasts about 12 months and usually a single calf is born. The calf stays with its mother for several years and learns survival skills from her.

Conservation status

The bottlenose dolphin is listed as Least Concern (LC) globally on the IUCN Red List. However, some regional populations are threatened by entanglement in fishing nets, marine pollution, noise and declining prey.

Fun facts

  • Dolphins rest only one half of the brain at a time while sleeping; the other half keeps breathing going.
  • Some bottlenose groups use sponges to protect their snouts while foraging on the sea floor.
  • Dolphins are among the few animals that can recognise themselves in a mirror.

Similar animals

Other animals in the same group.

See all
Great white sharkThe ocean's most famous predator, the great white shark is known for its powerful senses and impressive size. Despite its frightening film image, attacks on people are extremely rare.ExploreOrcaThe largest of the dolphins, the orca is one of the ocean's smartest hunters, with its black-and-white look and complex family groups. Different orca communities develop their own hunting techniques and "dialects".ExploreBlue whaleThe largest animal known to have ever lived, the blue whale feeds by filtering tiny krill despite its size. It is still recovering from intensive whaling.ExploreCommon octopusWith eight arms, colour-changing skin and a talent for solving problems, the octopus is one of the sea's most surprising animals. The common octopus, which also lives off Türkiye's coasts, lives only a year or two.Explore

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