Where does the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin live?
Atlantic bottlenose dolphins can be found in the Bay in summer. Small schools, called “pods,” are often seen in the saltier waters of the lower Bay, near Cape Charles and the James and Elizabeth rivers. Pods will also venture as far north in the Bay as Annapolis, Baltimore and the Chester River. What does the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin eat? Atlantic bottlenose dolphins feed on many species of fish and shellfish, including eels, catfish, menhaden, crabs and shrimp. Dolphins use their teeth to grasp, rather than bite, their prey. When does the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin breed? Atlantic bottlenose dolphins mate throughout the year. Females reach sexual maturity between the ages of five and 12 years, while males mature between 10 and 12 years old. • After conception, the gestation period is about 12 months. • Dolphin calves are born in the water. During the birth, an assisting dolphin, which may be either male or female, remains close to the mother and is often the only other dolphin all
