Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Common Bottlenose Dolphin(Tursiops truncatus)
The common bottlenose dolphin is the most widely-known type of dolphin as it is often present in marine parks and has been featured in lms and TV series. In Tenerife, it is a resident species as we can nd them quite easily throughout the year at a short distance from the coast. The average size of the adult male is 2.7 metres, whereas adult females can measure up to 2.5 metres. The older members can exceed three metres, with the largest ever spotted in the Canary Islands, measuring 3.4 metres long. Large and robust, bottlenose dolphins can live for more than 30 years and weigh over 500 kg. They live in groups of up to 10 -30 members, with males separated from the females and calves. They are generally dark grey on the back and present lighter shades of grey fading to white on the lower jaw and belly. Some may have small patches on its skin. Seeing them jump and swim at the same speed as boats provides a wonderful and impressive experience.
