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
