Creature Feature

Tursiops truncatus

6-13 ft in length and weigh lbs Diet consists mainly of eels, squid, shrimp and wide variety of fishes Works together in groups to harvest schools of fish Swallows food whole

Sleeping One brain hemisphere remains active while the other hemisphere shuts down Sleeping cycle lasts for approximately 8 hours during each 24 hour period In increments of several minutes (or less) to several hours. While sleeping, dolphins remain near the surface swimming slowly or "logging", occasionally closing one eye

Reproduction Male has a slit on his belly which contains his retractable penis Mating occurs with the male and female in contact belly to belly Males can produce highly concentrated sperm, but only during the mating season Don’t waste energy on sperm production during times when sex is mostly social

Conservation Marine Mammal Protection Act Often caught as bycatch High levels of metal contaminants have been measured in tissue samples

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