Swim Alongside Some Baby Dolphin Facts

What is a baby bottlenose dolphin called?

Although they're commonly referred to as "cuties" by all who adore them, baby bottlenose dolphins are actually called "calves." Male dolphins are called "bulls," females are called "cows," and a group is a "pod."

What is the size of a baby bottlenose dolphin?

Calves are born between 43 and 53 inches long, and weigh between 22 to 44 pounds of pure underwater adorableness.

How long does a baby bottlenose dolphin stay with its mother?

Calves stay under mama's watchful eye for roughly 2 - 3 years, learning how to hunt, avoid danger and navigate their territory.

What does a baby bottlenose dolphin look like?

The back or dorsal side is a dark, bluish-gray coloration while the underside is a pale-gray or white. Their blowhole is located on top of their strong, streamline-shaped bodies and functions like our noses. At the front of a dolphin’s body is their famous bottlenose, or beak, and their horizontal fluke is located towards the back of their body at the end of a large muscle called a peduncle.

What does a baby bottlenose dolphin eat?

The average baby dolphin will nurse on their mother's milk for several years. They eventually wean off their mother's milk as they learn how to survive off catching fish.

How do baby bottlenose dolphins defend themselves?

Similar to how other animals defend their young, adult dolphins swim on the outside of the pod while keeping the calves in the middle. This formation aides in protecting the calves from predators such as killer whales and sharks. As if the pod of private security wasn't enough, adult dolphins will also swim above and slightly to the side to help propel the calves in their wake, saving the babies a lot of energy while swimming.

How are baby bottlenose dolphins born?

Baby dolphins are typically born tail first so they don't drown before they're able to take their first breath. Like underwater birthing wasn't already stressful enough.


It's one thing to read about these amazing babies, it's quite another to experience them first hand. Visit our SeaWorld Orlando Dolphin Nursery and witness these dolphins' beautiful coming-of-age stories unfold before your eyes as they play and interact with their mothers.