(Tursiops truncatus)

[ intana ] [ skeleton ]

The Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin can reach a length of up to 12.5 feet and a weight of up to 1,435 pounds. Most specimens of the bottlenose dolphin are smaller, averaging about 9 feet and weighing about 500 pounds. The bottlenose dolphin is further broken down into an inshore and offshore species. The offshore species tends to be larger. They are known to ride the surf and have been seen jumping clear of the water as high as 15-20 feet. Most bottlenose dolphins occur in groups of anywhere from single animals to several hundred individuals where the larger groups break down into smaller groups with no more than a dozen animals in each. Populations of these mammals can be found along most coastal and inshore waters including some of the enclosed seas such as the Black Sea, Mediterranean etc… There is also an offshore population that lives along the edges of the continental shelf. The coastal habitat of bottlenose dolphins has become hazardous to their health due to chemical pollution, human interaction and commercial fishing activities. People occasionally feed the wild animals that can cause infection and gastrointestinal problems. This occasional feeding leads the dolphins to become habituated to human interaction and many of those dolphins will later get into trouble with fish hooks and fish lines. A dolphins normal diet consist of fish, squid and krill.

MMC has assisted with the rescue of (10) Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins.

(Stenella frontalis)

The Atlantic Spotted Dolphin can reach a maximum length of 7.5 feet and weigh up to 310 pounds. They are found in pods of anywhere from 5 to 15 and may form temporary groups of a few hundred. The Spotted Dolphin closely resembles the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin; however, the latter tends to be more slender. As the name “spotted dolphin” suggests, the adult animal is dorsally marked with numerous greyish-white spots and ventrally with darker spots. They are frequently seen jumping clear of the water, and riding the bow wave of moving vessels, though in areas where tuna fishing occur, some individuals flee from boats. Spotted dolphins are usually found further offshore than bottlenoses. These dolphin will feed on fish, squid and other invertebrates. This species of dolphin is thought to inhabit a range of the Tropical Atlantic but have been found as far north as Maine and as far south as Columbia.

MMC has assisted with the rescue of (11) Atlantic Spotted Dolphins.

The Gervais’ Beaked Whale can reach a length of 17 feet and weigh up to 2 tons. Little is known about this species and it has been rarely sighted at sea. Conjecture is this species travel in small groups or pairs. It is the most common Mesoplodon species to strand along the Atlantic coast of the USA. Scarring on stranded animals suggests fighting between the males. Known to eat squid. Females teeth (2) never break the surface of the gums, but the males do and are located 3″ to 4 ” from the tip of the jaw.

MMC has assisted in the rescue of (1) Gervais’ Beaked Whale.

(Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

The Minke Whale is the smallest and most abundant of the rorqual (Large whales). It can reach a length of 33 feet and weigh up to 10 tons. Minke whales rarely travel in groups of more than 3 individuals. Minke whales can be found in virtually all of the worlds oceans. Some Minke whales have a white band around it’s flippers though this is not true of all animals. The Minke’s diet consists of small fish, plankton and krill.

MMC has assisted in the rescue of (1) Minke Whale.

(Kogia breviceps)

The Pygmy Sperm Whale can grow to 11.5 feet long and weigh as much as 880 pounds. Group sizes range from 3 to 6 animals. They are often observed, if at all, bobbing quietly at the surface of the water. If startled while in this position, they may defecate, emitting a cloud of reddish-brown feces into the water. Beached pygmy sperm whales have also been observed to defecate a fine chocolate-like feces. Some photographs of this species show a light crescent at the exact place where a larger fish may have a gill slit. In this marine mammal, it is often referred to as a false gill. It is also characterized by an underslung lower jaw, located well behind the tip of the snout. These last two characteristics are similar to a shark’s appearance and are thought to be protection against actual sharks. Pygmy sperm whales eat squid, fish and krill. Pygmy sperm whales can be found mostly along the continental shelves near the coast.

MMC has assisted with the rescue of (3) pygmy sperm whales.

(Steno bredanensis)

The Rough-Toothed Dolphin can reach a length of up to 8.5 feet and weigh as much as 330 pounds. Pods range in size of 10 to 20 and larger groups of several hundred may gather for a short period of time. It’s head has a unique shape; the long, narrow beak (rostrum) blends into the forehead without a crease, unlike all other dolphins with prominent rostrums. Little is known about this species but is thought to mostly inhabit warm deep waters around the world where sea temperature is above 77 Fahrenheit. This species is also considered rare. Their diet consist of fish and squid.

MMC has assisted with the rescue of (34) Rough-Toothed Dolphin.

(Grampus griseus)

Risso’s Dolphin can grow to 12 feet long and weigh up to 1,100 pounds. They are fairly abundant, with a wide distribution. They are found in pods of anywhere from 3 to 50. There are reports of temporary gatherings of several hundred. In the waters, they are very acrobatic (breaching, cartwheeling, lobtailing, and spyhopping). Primarily, they are squid eaters; hence, they have teeth only in their lower jaw (a characteristic common to squid eaters). If sighted, one might note the numerous scratches on the body of this species. These scratches may have resulted from encounters with other grampus or perhaps with the squid. Risso’s dolphin have a crease down the center of the forehead, from the blowhole to the upper “lip” and is unique to this species.

MMC has assisted with the rescue of (1) Risso’s Dolphin.

(Sirenian Trichechus)

The West Indian Manatee is the gentlest of creatures. They are herbivores which means they only eat vegetation. Manatees can reach a length of 10 feet and weigh up to 1,400 pounds. This species is on the Endangered Species List. There are only about 2000 manatees left in the USA. Many are killed by boats. Recent research suggests that manatees do not hear boat motors under the water and therefore do not know to get out of the way.

MMC has assisted in the rescue of (2) Manatees.