A Look at the Bottlenose Dolphin

When you think of ocean life, the bottlenose dolphin likely comes to mind. This natural swimmer is one of the few creatures from the seas that have enchanted people for centuries. While they can be spotted in a number of areas, you will find that they do tend to remain in warmer open waters.

How Do Bottlenose Dolphins Swim?

One of the most common questions about this dolphin moves. While most people recognize that they are a natural swimmer, not too many grasp how they actually move. Like most ocean life, their tails play a pivotal role in this process.

For this species to swim, they will take the flukes of their tale and quickly move them up and down while in water. Their pectoral flippers are designed to change direction and provide them with better control as they swim through the water. In some cases, they can reach 18 miles per hour and jump to more than 20 feet in the air.

Can Dolphins Survive Under Water?

Like most ocean life, the bottlenose dolphin can go underwater. However, since they are mammals, they do need oxygen to breathe regularly. Normally, they will keep their dives fairly shallows and won’t exceed more than about 150 feet in depth.

Normally, when they are diving, they are seeking out some of the food that can be found. When underwater, their vision isn’t the best and they rely more on the vibrations of sound, rather than actually seeing what is in front of them. In this manner, they will click quickly and this will give them an idea of some of the different items that they are set to encounter. This information helps them to determine the distance, size and general shape of items they are set to encounter. When it is their prey, they can make a swift movement to capture and consume it. Typically, the bottlenose dolphin is similar to other carnivores among the ocean life and they will consume other fish or squid, if they can be found. Nutrition for humans is different in getting enough micronutrients to healthy.

As a natural swimmer, the bottlenose dolphin does remain one of the most fascinating creatures of the sea. These gentle animals tend to be friendly and can often be found swimming in large groups that will include other mammals of the ocean like the orca and even the whale (blue whales also!).

They Are Still Threatened by Man

To this day, humans continue to pose a threat to this beautiful species by getting caught in the nets of shrimp, squid and other prizes claims that fishing boats cast out. While they are often released back in the wild to maintain a dolphin safe seal for these companies, not all are protected. Many endurance, open water swimmers and triathletes love their company if they are so fortunate that the bottlenose accompany them while swimming in the open sea. What a thrill!!!

While there are many different types of porpoises out there, the bottlenose dolphin does remain one of the most beautiful creatures you can find. Take the time to learn all you can be about them and they can be a great example on becoming a better swimmer. They are one of the most important creatures that can be found in the ocean.

Today's Daily Swim Workout:

Warm-up: 500 as 25 butterfly kick-on-back, 75 freestyle tai-chi slow style, repeat for the duration

Kick with short swim fins 400 IM

Pull with hand paddles: 300 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle - on cruise interval pace

16 x 100 Individual Medley, 25 butterfly on an interval that will give you at least 10 seconds rest between

Drill 200 butterfly with long swim fins on

20 X 25 alternating butterfly and freestyle

Warm-down: 200 tai-chi style freestyle

Total is 4200 meters or yards depending on the length of your pool

back to the top of bottlenose dolphin page