Dolphins can grow up to 13 feet (4.3 meters) in length and weigh up to 573 pounds (260 kg). They can live up to 48 years, however the average life span is only 20. The dolphin mating season is in the spring and early summer. Pregnancy last from 10 to 12 months and the females usually give birth to one baby at a time. The baby dolphins are called calves. A calf is born tail first and immediatly swims to the surface for the first breath of air. The mother is often needed for help to get to the surface. The newborn calf is one third the mother’s length.

For information on Communication and Ecolocation, visit the SeaWorld Bush Garden Communication and Ecolocation WebPage. You can also visit SeaWorld Bush Garden Conservation WebPage for information on organizations that help dolphins.

As a dolphin ages, a growth layer forms around the teeth. A tooth analysis is made to determine the age of dolphins. Dolphins teeth is interlocking and is for grasping food, not chewing it. Dolphins may suffer from viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. They may develop stomach ulcers, skin diseases, tumors, heart disease, urogenital disorders, and respiratory disorders as well. Dolphins may also suffer from tapeworms, roundworms and flukes. These may all cause death.

Though exremely rare, orcas (killer whales) have been known to attach and feed off the dolphins. Other predators include tiger sharks, dusky sharks, and bull sharks.

An extremely interesting observation about dolphins skin color is when viewed from above, a dolphin's dark back blends with the sea depths. When seen from below, a dolphin's lighter belly blends with the bright surface of the sea. This coloration helps camouflage them from predators.

Dolphins swim at the speed of 3 to 7 mph yet have bursts of speed up to 22 mph. Dolphins usually dive to 150 feet deep but have been known to dive 1,795 feet under experimental conditions. Dives can last up to 8 to 10 minutes.

In 0.3 seconds, a dolphin has already inhaled and exhaled, during which, he has exchanged 80% of the air in his lungs. We only exchange 17% air.

A pod of dolphins sometimes herds a school of fish into a tight ball for feeding. The pods usually cooperate during hunting and feed on small fish. When hunting for larger fish, they shake them to break the fish or rub them on the ocean floor. They will sometimes push the larger fish out of the water and then retreive the stunned fish to avoid any type of aggression.

  *Information was acquired from research. Most research was done at the Sea World Bush Gardens Website.

 

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