Black Sea bottlenose dolphin - description, habitat, lifestyle

The Black Sea bottlenose dolphin is a species of dolphins, which are also called large or bottlenose. Their nose really looks like the neck of a bottle. The Black Sea bottlenose dolphins are found not only in the Black Sea, as one might think from the name. Along with the Indian and Australian bottlenose dolphins, the Black Sea representatives of these mammals are considered one of the most numerous cetacean order. To date, the population of this animal is more than 100 thousand individuals. The number of large dolphin is steadily declining, which led to the inclusion of a mammal in the Red Book of Russia. What else are interesting big dolphins, try to figure it out.

Appearance of the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin

The Black Sea dolphin is often called large, because it really has an impressive size - this is the largest representative among all bottlenose dolphins. The body length of a mammal is about three meters, and the mass often exceeds three centners. Males, as usual, are larger and more massive than females. The head of a bottlenose dolphin has a sloping shape, reaches 55-60 cm in length. The so-called "beak" is quite developed, clearly separated from the frontal fat pad. Small eyes of the animal are located on both sides of the head, almost in a diametrical position from each other. Bottlenose dolphins have small, but quite sharp teeth, which are necessary for food. The lower jaw of the mammal is slightly extended forward, and the border between the jaws is clearly marked. This gives the impression that the dolphin is smiling.

The Black Sea bottlenose dolphins are divided into two types according to one more sign - color. In some dolphins, the black color on the back smoothly turns into light shades on the belly. For others, this transition is abrupt, has a clear boundary. There are no sweat glands in dolphins; a fat layer is used for thermal insulation. In the process of thermoregulation, fins are involved - they are very sensitive to temperature extremes. That is why, when dolphins are washed ashore, fins that quickly overheat suffer first of all. When trained dolphins are transported, specialists know that fins are very important to keep in moisture and cool.

The habitat of the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin

Black sea bottlenose dolphins feeding

The large dolphin mainly lives in the coastal zones, since the main hunting ground of the mammal is the bottom of the reservoir. In some cases, bottlenose dolphins can hunt in depth, animals dive perfectly, are able to descend 100 meters or more in depth. In addition, bottlenose dolphins can hold their breath for almost 10 minutes, which at a high speed of movement makes it possible to get food in very deep places. However, in most cases, dolphins still hunt in the coastal zone. The main diet consists of all kinds of fish, mollusks, octopuses, and even sharks. As a rule, dolphins prefer to hunt during the day, and they do it very skillfully. Mammals love to hunt in groups - dolphins surround a school of fish, transmit information to each other with a whistle.Scientists ketologists (ketology - a science that studies the degree of rationality of cetaceans, as well as dolphins) suggest that with the help of sound bottlenose dolphins can disorient the fish. In some cases, piercing cries of dolphins are even used to stun prey. Large individuals eat 10-14 kg of fish per day. If, for some reason, the fish becomes small, dolphins go out to hunt for food even at night, but such hunting is usually solitary. It is aimed at species of fish leading a nocturnal lifestyle.

Reproduction of the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin

Female dolphins reach maturity at 5-6, in captivity - at 7 years. The mating season usually falls in the fall and spring. The male actively takes care of the female for about two weeks, driving away rivals from her and in every possible way showing signs of attention. Dolphins screech, whistle, swim around each other, snuggle their heads and stroke their fins. Sexual fusion is short-term, it occurs on the go several times. After pregnancy, the female becomes less active, she eschews other dolphins. Dolphin pregnancy lasts for a year. Delivery takes an average of about an hour. After the birth of the fetus, the umbilical cord breaks off easily, the female, together with the cub and other members of the flock, rises to the surface so that the baby first breathes air. In the first six months, the mother feeds the baby only with breast milk. Six months later, a young dolphin begins to try “adult” food, but he will eat mother’s milk for about another year. Young dolphins at first after birth keep close to their mother, but after a few months they sail quite far, returning only for food.

Interesting facts about the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin

Large dolphins always attract human attention, as these animals have amazing cognitive abilities. Moreover, dolphins in nature do not show aggression towards humans, are rather friendly and peaceful. Many cases were recorded when dolphins saved a man from sharks, surrounded him with a flock and protected him until they saved a drowning man. What else is interesting bottlenose dolphin?

1. Surprisingly, dolphins have their own language, not just signs, but also sounds, syllables, words, phrases and even dialects. Each animal has its own name, which is actively used by relatives in the pack.
2. Dolphins are able to imitate a person, imitating his movements. That is why bottlenose dolphins are relatively easy to train.
3. Dolphins understand pointing gestures, they remember the characters that characterize parts of the body, the animal easily generalizes, has an idea of ​​abstract concepts.
4. These amazingly intelligent animals are able to recognize themselves in the mirror, which indicates the presence of self-awareness and the adoption of their own personality.
5. Sight of bottlenose dolphin is developed rather poorly, however, the hearing of the animal is unique. He distinguishes waves of a wide range of frequencies, hearing helps to hunt, evade danger, find a partner, etc.
6. In general, dolphins are very social animals, they have highly developed intellectual abilities. The bottlenose brain is larger than in humans, and also has a much larger number of convolutions. Dolphins are considered the most intelligent animals on earth (not counting humans).

The Black Sea bottlenose dolphin is a mammal that allows you to open the door to the fascinating world of dolphins and admire the intelligence and ingenuity of this large and kind animal.

Video: bottlenose dolphins