This September 12th will mark the third annual World Dolphin Day, as created by the Sea Shepherd organization. For the final installment of Beneath the Waves, let’s express our appreciation for these creatures, with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, by counting the ways.
600,000
The average estimated population of the Bottlenose dolphin.
42
There are 42 species of dolphins and seven species of porpoises. (For perspective, there are 14,000 known species of ants.)
9 – 16
A dolphin pregnancy lasts between nine and 16 months. (In general, it’s about 12 months.)
3 – 6
The average time span in years between births for a female dolphin.
20
The average number of months in which a calf will feed off its mother’s milk.
20-25
An adult dolphin can swim up to about 20 mph, but their normal speed is around 7–8 mph. In a hurry or trying to escape, they can swim up to 25 mph.
45
Dolphins are estimated to have an IQ of around 45, making them one of the world’s smartest animals. (Their brains are also almost five times larger than what’s typical
for their size.)
2
A bottlenose dolphin’s outermost layer of skin can regenerate every two hours (about nine times faster than human skin). This keeps their bodies sleek and allows them to reach high speeds underwater.
23
That is the average length in feet of the world’s largest dolphin (the Orca, more commonly referred to as a Killer Whale.)
3.5
The average size in feet of the smallest species of dolphin, the Heaviside’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii.)
72 – 116
The average number of teeth found in bottlenose dolphins
1,000
Dolphins can make up to 1,000 clicks per second when hunting.
15 – 30
The number of pounds of food a Bottlenose dolphin can consume each day.
80
The number of miles a dolphin can swim each day.
50
The average lifespan of the female Bottlenose dolphin (males live to about 40.)
15
The average maximum amount of time in minutes a dolphin can hold its breath underwater.
If you encounter a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle, contact MERR Institute at (302) 864.0304 or email merrinstitute@gmail.com. MERR is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the conservation of marine mammals and sea turtles and their habitat. MERR provides rescue and response for stranded marine animals that occur throughout the State of Delaware.
Rob Rector has served as naturalist and board member for 20 years, is a certified Protected Species Observer, and leads weekly dolphin observation tours that use citizen science to gather information on our local Bottlenose Dolphin populations.
