If you are looking for fun dolphin facts, you have found them. In this article, you will read fun facts about dolphins like their behavior, their communicating techniques, how they give birth, and more. Bottlenose dolphins are very interesting and one of the smartest dolphins out of all the nine species.

Communication Techniques

One of the most interesting Bottlenose dolphin facts is the communication techniques they use. Each Bottlenose dolphin has their own unique whistle, just like we have our own voices. So, when a dolphin whistles, the other dolphins will know who it is. They also click their teeth to communicate and use body movements to communicate. For instance, if you have ever seen a Bottlenose dolphin slap its fin or tail on top of the water, or jump out of the water and land on its side, then you have witnessed them communicating. They have many ways of communicating with one another.

Reproduction Facts

The reproduction of Bottlenose dolphins is very interesting. For starters, they normally start reproducing at the age of 6. They mate all year long and only get pregnant once every two to three years. Once a Bottlenose dolphin becomes pregnant, they carry their young for 12 months before giving birth. Bottlenose dolphins deliver all year long, but spring and summer is the most popular time of year. When a calf is born, they are born tail first. That way they won’t drown while being delivered. Once the calf is fully delivered, the momma will push the calf to the surface for their first breath to be taken.

Raising Their Young

Bottlenose dolphin facts are pretty interesting when it comes to giving birth and raising their young. As mentioned above, a mother dolphin will carry her young for 12 months before it is born. Once the baby is born, there will be other female dolphins around her to help her deliver the baby. It’s kind of like the doctors and nurses that help us, the other females will help her. A baby Bottlenose dolphin is called a calf. The calf will remain with the momma up to the age of 6. Once the dolphin reaches the age of 6, the females will begin reproducing. Male dolphins do not help the females raise the babies.

Dolphin Behavior

One of the most amazing facts about dolphins is their sociability. They are real social and most of the time are not afraid to approach you. Sometimes when people are diving, or out on a tour to see dolphins, they will come right up to you and allow you to rub them. Always be careful though. They have been known to turn aggressive in a split second. So, never let your guard down. Bottlenose dolphins are very playful and play among each other all day. The dolphins will stay in a pod of about 12 dolphins and chase each other, roll over each other, surf the waves, and more to play.

Dolphin Suicide – ‘Beaching’

I’m sure you have heard the news about dolphins beaching themselves, or you might have actually witnessed this. The truth is, dolphins beach themselves quite often. Beaching is when they go up on the shore and lay there and die. It is basically suicide. The reason a dolphin ‘beaches’ themselves is usually due to sickness. Many dolphins encounter pneumonia which is the leading cause of sickness. If a dolphin is sick and can’t get better, they will leave their pod and commit suicide.