I just need a quick run down about the location, feeding habits, tail and fins, teeth and scales, gills, senses, and reproduction of a bottlenose dolphin. Can you help?
Thanks!
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/bottlenose-dolphin.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottlenose_dolphin
Gills?
Of course! Let's break down the information you're looking for about the bottlenose dolphin:
1. Location: Bottlenose dolphins are found worldwide, inhabiting both warm and temperate ocean waters. They are commonly seen in coastal areas and can be found in both saltwater and freshwater environments, such as bays, estuaries, and lagoons.
2. Feeding Habits: Bottlenose dolphins are carnivorous predators, primarily feeding on fish and squid. They use a hunting technique called "herding," where they work together to encircle and trap schools of fish. They also exhibit cooperative hunting behaviors by driving fish towards shorelines or using their tails to create 'mud rings' to catch fish.
3. Tail and Fins: Bottlenose dolphins have a powerful, crescent-shaped tail, called a fluke, which propels them through the water. Their dorsal fin, located on their back, varies in shape and size and is used for stability. They also have pectoral fins on either side of their body, which aid in steering and maneuvering.
4. Teeth and Scales: Bottlenose dolphins have sharp, conical-shaped teeth designed for catching and holding prey, but not for chewing. They possess around 80-100 teeth.
5. Gills: Like all dolphins, bottlenose dolphins have gills that allow them to extract oxygen from water. They have specialized respiratory systems that enable them to breathe air at the water's surface. They need to come to the surface regularly to exhale and inhale fresh air.
6. Senses: Bottlenose dolphins have excellent eyesight both above and below the water. They also have a well-developed sense of hearing, using echolocation to navigate and locate prey. This process involves emitting clicks and listening for the echoes to determine the position and distance of objects. Their sense of touch is also highly developed, as they have a layer of specialized skin called blubber that is sensitive to touch and pressure.
7. Reproduction: Bottlenose dolphins are mammals and give birth to live young. Their reproduction is quite complex, involving a gestation period of about 12 months. Calves are born tail-first and are relatively large in size. The mother provides care and nourishment to the calf through nursing, and the bond between mother and calf is strong.
To gather more detailed information about each of these aspects, you can conduct specific searches using reliable sources such as scientific journals, marine biology websites, or books on dolphins.