Bottlenose dolphin

Key facts about Bottlenose dolphins

The bottlenose dolphin is one of the most familiar and charismatic marine mammals, instantly recognised by its sleek, silvery‑grey body and the distinctive short, rounded “bottle‑shaped” beak that gives the species its name. Built for speed and agility, bottlenoses glide through the water with effortless power, often leaping or surfacing in smooth, arcing motions that make them a joy to watch.

These dolphins are highly social animals. They live in tight family groups called pods, where individuals cooperate to hunt, communicate, and protect one another. Their constant chatter of clicks, whistles, and body movements reveals a complex social world built on cooperation, curiosity, and strong bonds that can last for decades.

Bottlenose dolphins can also live impressively long lives. Many individuals reach 50 years of age or more, giving them one of the longest lifespans of any marine mammal. This longevity, combined with their intelligence and strong social ties, means that some dolphins remain with the same pod for much of their lives, forming deep relationships and passing knowledge from one generation to the next.

In the UK, bottlenose dolphins are a treasured part of coastal wildlife. They are most famously seen around Scotland’s Moray Firth, home to one of the largest resident populations in Europe, but they also appear along the Welsh coast, the south‑west of England, and even venture into harbours and estuaries. Their presence is a sign of healthy, productive seas, and they have become ambassadors for marine conservation across the British Isles.