What habitat do bottlenose dolphins live in?
Have you ever wondered what habitat do bottlenose dolphins live in? Bottlenose dolphins are among the most familiar species of dolphin. You may have seen them on TV or in movies or even seen them perform at a zoo or aquarium. These playful creatures have been subject to research and conservation efforts that have revealed some intriguing facts about their behaviour.
What’s a bottlenose dolphin?
A bottlenose dolphin is an aquatic mammal with a short, beak-like mouth and long, cylindrical body. They’re named for their long, prominent nose, usually greyish but fading to white near the dolphin’s eyes.
Bottlenose dolphins can grow up to 4 metres and weigh around 600 kilograms. The average life span of a bottlenose dolphin is about 40 years. They live in groups called pods, and these pods can range from a few individuals to several hundred!
What habitat do bottlenose dolphins live in?
You may have seen a bottlenose dolphin in an aquarium, on a nature documentary, or even off the coast of some faraway beach. But what habitat do bottlenose dolphins live in?
Bottlenose dolphins are found in warm and temperate seas worldwide. They are most common in estuaries, gulfs, bays, harbours, and deeper waters along coastlines. Sometimes bottlenose dolphins will even venture into rivers! It’s common for them to swim near the water’s surface so that they can breathe.
Where in the UK can you find Bottlenose dolphins?
All around the UK’s coasts, Bottlenose dolphins can be found. However, one of the most reliable areas to see them is Cardigan Bay, off of Wales. The dolphins are particularly abundant in this region because there is such a wide variety of fish and other prey for them to feed on. The bay also has a protected status. So it’s in pristine condition and guarantees a luxurious feeding environment!
Cardigan Bay boat trips
Cardigan Bay boat trips offer a variety of tours to help you spot these elusive and captivating creatures. If you’re lucky, you might even get some shots of the dolphins dancing! The tours are usually led by trained guides who have a wealth of knowledge about these animals. So they will be able to answer any questions you may have.
What’s the best time of day to see dolphins?
The best time to see dolphins Cardigan Bay based is in the summer months (June-September) when they are most active. Most dolphin-watching tours occur in the early morning (around 7 or 8 a.m.) and evening around 5-7 p.m., when their activity is at its peak. These dolphins are also very friendly and may come close enough for you to see them clearly or even touch them if they surface nearby!
One of the top ways to get an up-close look at the dolphins is by taking a boat charter and exploring on your own. You can get out on the water at any time of the day, but you’ll likely spot more dolphins if you try for an evening excursion.
So what are you waiting for? Book your dolphin boat trip today!
