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Long Beach Bottlenose Dolphin Watching |
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 Southern California Bottle Nose Dolphin Description
Chances are when seeing the Bottlenose Dolphin during dolphin watching in Long Beach , you may realize that you've seen one like it before. And if you’ve been to Sea World, where these sea creatures are popular attractions, you're right. Déjà vu may also strike if you were a fan of the classic TV personality, “Flipper”, who was a Bottlenose Dolphin.
Bottlenose dolphins are aptly named after their trademark bottle-shaped snout. Their skin is a spectrum of gray hues that is darker at the head and becomes progressively lighter approaching the tail. Along with a white belly and a blowhole (at the top of their heads), Bottlenose dolphins also have about 20 teeth on each side of their jaw. They propel themselves by moving their flukes up and down; while simultaneously using their pectoral flippers to steer. At birth, Bottlenose dolphins are about 3 feet long and weigh about 45 pounds, but they will mature to near 13 feet in length and almost 1400 pounds. Male Bottlenose dolphins are typically longer and heavier than the females. They are known to live up to about 40 years, but most have a lifespan of about 20 years.
Southern California Bottlenose Dolphin Behavior
Bottlenose dolphins generally travel in pods, or groups of about 15 dolphins at one time. Females will swim with the young calves in larger pods, while males tend to travel in comparatively much smaller pods. Under necessary, but rare circumstances, these small pods of dolphins will come together to form many larger pods, even one gigantic pod. At these times, there could be as many as 1,000 dolphins making up a single group.
These creatures are notably heroic because they have been known to rescue injured animals and even human divers then protecting them from harm. Yet, as humane as they can be, Bottlenose Dolphins can also become aggressive, particularly towards sharks and smaller dolphins. Male Bottlenose dolphins are especially hostile to other males who interfere with their mating efforts. Butting heads with the competing male is one of the several ways a Bottlenose dolphin will show his dominance.
These dolphins are also keenly intelligent. In fact, both the American and Russian militaries have, at one time, trained Bottlenose dolphins to locate sea mines and enemy divers. To achieve this task, the dolphins are fitted with equipment that intensifies their natural sonar, better enabling them to detect harm. At the same time, Bottlenose dolphins aren’t easily detected by radar systems and are often overlooked as being harmless.
Southern California Bottlenose Dolphin Feeding Habits
The diet of Bottlenose Dolphins generally consists of fish, squid, and crustaceans. They are known to be lone hunters and they specifically prey on bottom-dwellers. Oddly, Bottlenose dolphins do not use their teeth to chew with, but instead to catch food with. As a matter of fact, they have several unique feeding habits. The first involves the gathering of as much fish as they are able to collect and then consuming them. This feeding mode allows the Bottlenose dolphins to maximize their food supply. Another peculiar feeding behavior that Bottlenose Dolphins display is that they will smack the fish they find so that it is easier to catch them. A third notable feeding method these Bottlenose dolphins have adapted is following fishing vessels and feasting on any fish that are missed by the fishing nets. Unfortunately, in doing this, many dolphins have unintentionally been caught by these large fishing nets too.
Long Beach Dolphin Watching conducts dolphin and whale watching tours seven days a week with tours at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. You might want to arrive a little early because these tours are popular and do fill up quickly. Tours usually last from two to two and a half hours. Ticket prices are as follows:
Individual Ticket Prices – Two Hour to 2 ½ Hour Cruise
Adults $30
Seniors (62 and over) $25
Children (11 and under) $18
Children (2 and under) FREE!
Ticket Prices for groups of 25 or more.
Adults $22
Seniors (62 and over) $18
Children (11 and under) $12
Children (2 and under) FREE!
You can order your tickets online by clicking the button, or calling 562-432-4900. If you have a discount coupon, please present it at the ticket booth.
We look forward to seeing you and continuing to make Long Beach Dolphin Watching your choice for dolphin and whale watching in southern California. We offer convenient parking and are located near many area attractions such as The Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach Lighthouse and Queen Mary as well as excellent shopping and restaurant so you can make a day of it. A dolphin watching cruise is a wonderful experience regardless of age. We can’t wait to provide the best dolphin watching in southern California experience possible.
For more information on other Southern California Dolphins and Whales, please click on the link below:
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