Bottlenose dolphin

A bottlenose dolphin or Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is a kind of dolphin. The name "bottlenose" comes from its snout being shaped like a bottle. It breathes through a hole on top of its head. Its brain is very large, and the dolphin is one of the most intelligent animals. Bottlenose dolphins are closely related to porpoises. They are skilled and accurate hunters which eat small fish.

Bottlenose dolphin
Bottlenose dolphin leaping in the bow wave of a boat.
Size comparison against an average human
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Cetacea
Family:	Delphinidae
Genus:	Tursiops
Binomial name
Tursiops truncatus
Bottlenose dolphin range (in blue)

Bottlenose dolphins are grey, with dark grey near their blowhole (the small hole on the top of their head for breathing). They are light grey on their belly. This is called countershading: it makes them harder to see.

When it is grown up, it is about 2 to 4 meters (6.6 to 13.1ft) and about 150 to 650 kilograms (330 1430 pounds). The males are regularly a bit bigger than the females. Dolphins that live in warm places are smaller than dolphins that live in cold places.