Bottle-nosed Dolphin
By Ellie Michon
Structural Adaptations
• One structural adaptation of the bottlenosed
dolphin is the high frequency sound it makes
with its mouth. This is an important
adaptation because it tells the dolphin how
far, close , or big an object is.
• A second structural adaptation is the dolphins
moans , groans ,squeaks and whistles. This is
an important adaptation because it warns
other dolphins of danger or food.
Structural adaptations
• A third structural adaptation is that they have
excellent eye sight. This is an important
adaptation because it allows the dolphins to
stay away from predators and close to pray.
• A fourth structural adaptation is that they
have many teeth. This is an important
adaptation because it allows them to grab
food
Structural Adaptation
• A fifth structural adaptation is the dolphins
greasy liquid in their eyes. This is an important
adaptation because it allows the dolphin to
see well so their eyes won’t become sore from
the salty water
Behavioral Adaptations
• One behavioral adaptation of the bottlenosed
dolphin is swimming in pods [about 12 dolphins]
The pods come together to form herds [100
dolphins] This is an important adaptation because
it helps them hunt by herding smaller circles of
fish so they can get to them easier.
• A second behavioral adaptation is they jump high
into the air landing on their sides or back with a
great splash. This is an important adaptation
because it helps the other dolphins know of
danger or there is food present.
Behavioral Adaptations
• A third behavioral adaptation is holding their
breath. This is an important adaptation
because it allows the dolphin to stay
underwater for 15 min. to hunt
• A fourth behavioral adaptation is assisting the
mother of a dolphin baby by swimming with
them this helps the baby dolphin survive. It
helps the mammal survive so the baby could
get its first breath right away.
Habitat
• The bottlenosed dolphin lives in the oceans.
• It lives in all the oceans all over the world
excluding Antarctica.
• Because they are mammals they live and swim
at the top of the ocean to come up for air.
• Their habitat is a healthy open ocean where
there is a surplus of healthy fish
Diet
• The bottlenosed dolphin is a carnivore and
typically eats fish
• It also eats small sea creatures such as squid, sea
trout, and large shrimp
• One fact about the bottlenosed dolphins eating
habits is that they swim in pods and surround the
school of fish to get to it easier.
• Another fact is that the bottlenosed dolphins eat
a variety of species second only to killer whales
sun
Food Chain
plankton
shrimp
dolphin
shark
Resources
• Whales and Dolphins
• http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/anim
als/creaturefeature/bottlenose-dolphin/
• World Book 2010