Description: Adult bottlenose dolphins are 2.5-4 m long. Their sturdy, streamlined bodies are dark to light grey on the back and sides, fading to pale grey or white on the lower jaw, throat and belly. The beak is short but noticeable with a lower jaw that sticks out slightly more than the upper jaw. There are between 18 and 26 pairs of pointed, cone-shaped teeth present in the upper and lower jaw. The mouth line curves upward at the back, giving the animal a smiling appearance. The tall, sickle-shaped dorsal fin is located midway along the back.

Habitat: The best places to see dolphins are headlands and bays when the sea is calm.

Distribution: Sightings off the coast of Northern Ireland are possible at all times of the year. Along the County Antrim coastline, from Whitehead to Portrush, in Dundrum Bay and Newcastle (both in County Down). The north coast, including Rathlin Island is usually a good spot to take a wildlife boat tour. There are also two male dolphins that have taken up residence in Strangford Lough, and are frequently seen playing at mooring buoys or following the Strangford Lough Ferry.

Similar Species: Bottlenose dolphins may be confused with Risso’s dolphin. Both species are grey, however Risso’s dolphin is usually heavily scarred and has a rounded head with no beak.

Key Identification Features:

• Large sturdy dolphin.
• Distinctive bottle nose.
• Tall, sickle-shaped dorsal fin.

Distribution Map from NBN: Tursiops truncatus at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Tursiops truncatus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Tursiops truncatus

WoRMS: Tursiops truncatus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821). AphiaID: 137111.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Tetrapoda; Mammalia; Theria; Cetartiodactyla; Cetancodonta; Cetacea; Odontoceti; Delphinidae; Tursiops