Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

Marine Mammal

Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin: The Ocean’s Playful Navigator

Gliding through the warm coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) is a true marine acrobat. Sleek and intelligent, these dolphins are known for their playful nature, often riding waves, leaping from the water, and even interacting with boats. They can be distinguished from their larger common bottlenose relatives by their slender build, slightly longer beaks, and distinctive spotted bellies, which develop as they age.

Whether glimpsed in the shallows or performing spectacular breaches offshore, the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin embodies the wild, untamed beauty of the ocean.

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SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Tursiops aduncus

FAMILY:

Delphinidae

NATIONAL CONSERVATION STATUS:

Near Threatened

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Fun Fact:

Highly social, they live in dynamic pods, using a complex system of clicks, whistles, and body movements to communicate and coordinate hunting. Their intelligence is remarkable—they use teamwork to herd fish and have even been observed using marine sponges as tools to protect their snouts while foraging on the seafloor.