Bottlenose dolphins are incredibly intelligent and are known as problem solvers and quick learners. They have an intricate system for communication called echolocation, which uses the reflection of sound to figure out the location of objects. Bottlenose dolphins often use it to track prey. They also use squeaks and whistles to “talk” with other dolphins, and even have a unique “signature” whistle to identify themselves. You can spot bottlenose dolphins swimming close to shore, breaching (shooting out of the water) and lobtailing (slapping their tails onto the surface of the water). They will also jump high out of the water and do flips to communicate, shake off parasites and sometimes just for fun!

Bottlenose dolphins are sleek and streamlined, making it easy for them to reach speeds up to 18 miles per hour. They are marine mammals, meaning they need to breathe air, so they surface to breathe two or three times per minute. On any given day, they can swim up to 100 miles.