Dolphins Information kindly provided by Project Pod

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Estero Bay is home to the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, a type of small, toothed whale that inhabits warm, salt and brackish waters. Dolphins belong to the order Cetacea, a grouping that includes the large baleen whales as well as their smaller cousins, the porpoises. The dolphins in the bay are coastal bottlenose dolphins. They ply the waters of the bay itself and the nearshore coastal waters. Further out in the Gulf, you might encounter the larger bottlenose dolphins that represent a distinct population seldom if ever seen near the coastline. These coastal dolphins are an average of nine feet long and weigh in at approximately 500 pounds. They have distinct home ranges: areas of water in which they spend most of their time. Consequently, the individuals you see in the bay live here year-round. Click here to listen to dolphin sounds. Click here to view a video clip of dolphin behaviors. Wild dolphins lead lives of great variety. Some of their common behaviors are: Resting - Dolphins rest by letting one-half of their brain become unconscious and keeping the other half semi-conscious in order to continue swimming and breathing. This is necessary since, unlike, humans, dolphins are conscious breathers…they must think about every breath in order to take it. Socializing - Perhaps best known for their playfulness, bottlenose dolphins engage in social activity throughout the day. This includes leaping, chasing and other forms of play. Feeding - Most marine mammals consume approximately 10% of their body weight each day. For coastal dolphins, this means about 50 pounds of fish daily. Dolphins feed both alone and cooperatively, sometimes herding a school if fish while individuals cut through the school and feed. Aggression - It’s sometimes hard to believe that such beautiful creatures are capable of aggression. But, like other higher mammals, dolphins exhibit a range of moods. Aggression is often signaled by a strong slap of the tail on the water’s surface or explosive, repeated exhales, called chuffing. Fighting among dolphins is not unusual and many of their visible scars and rake marks are the result of conflict. Observing wild dolphins is a rare and unforgettable experience. There are strategies you can use to help make the experience interesting and safe. Take a moment to read through a brief Guide to Marine Mammal Encounters.