Tursiops truncatus (Bottle-nose Dolphin)
In Hebridean waters bottle-nose dolphins are at the northern extreme of their range. They are most frequently seen in inshore waters, close to the coastline around headlands and bays. There is a population of 30 to 40 animals resident in the Inner Hebrides (Kintyre to Skye) and a separate group of about 12 animals in and around the Sound of Barra.
Additional Information
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit
Convention on Migratory Species, Appendix 2
Convention on Migratory Species, Small Cetaceans Agreement, Baltic, NE Atlantic, Irish and North Seas
EC CITES Annex A
Bern Convention Appendix 2
EU Habitats Directive Annex 2 & 4
Scottish Biodiversity List of species of principal importance for biodiversity conservation
Tursiops truncatus is a large dolphin with a dark to light grey back that fades to pinkish white on its underside, and a dark stripe from the base of the beak to the eye. It has a pronounced snout and the lower jaw protrudes in front of the upper. The dorsal fin is tall and backward-curving from the middle of the back. There are between 18 - 26 pairs of large teeth in each jaw. Dolphins regularly surface to breathe, the maximum time spent under water being about 7 minutes.
Identifying features
Light to dark grey above with paler underbelly.
Up to about 4 m long.
Torpedo shaped body with tall, sickle shaped, backward curving dorsal fin.
The short stubby beak is distinct from the curving head.
Catherine Wilding and Penny Avant 2009. Tursiops truncatus. Bottle-nosed dolphin
