What Divers Should Know About Bottlenose Dolphin

Bottlenose dolphins are prevalent across warm and temperate seas worldwide, absent only from the Arctic and Antarctic Circle regions. These common oceanic dolphins are a familiar sight for many, identifiable by their robust build. An average individual weighs around 300 kg (660 lb) but can range considerably, reaching just over 4 meters (13 ft) in length. Their coloring, typically dark gray on the back and lighter gray on the flanks, provides effective countershading camouflage.

Beyond their physical presence, bottlenose dolphins possess remarkable intelligence, which has driven their frequent interactions with humans. They demonstrate advanced capabilities such as tool use, employing marine sponges to forage for otherwise inaccessible food, and transmit cultural knowledge across generations. These intelligent cetaceans can live for over 40 years; females often exceed males by 5–10 years, with some rare individuals even living beyond 60 years.