Australian Sea Lion

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom:Animalia
• Phylum:Chordata
• Class:Mammalia
• Order:Cetacea
• Family:Delphinidae
• Genus:Tursiops
• Genus species:Tursiops truncatus

Animal Characteristics

Head-Body Length:3-4.2 m
Weight:150-200 kg
Identification:The bottle-nosed dolphin has a dark gray back and lighter flanks. Its belly is either white or pink.
Habitat:Temperate and tropical coastal waters
Diet:Carnivore: fish, crustaceans
Reproduction:Calves are born after a gestation period of 12 months and are weaned a year later.
Social Structure:Dolphins are very social animals, forming schools of up to 15 animals. There is much communication and cooperation among the group members.
Behavior:Hunting is done using echolocation. When giving birth, females are assisted by two other females that take the calf to the water's surface for its first breath.
Status:No special status
Interesting Facts:The intelligent bottle-nose dolphin is often seen in zoos, aquariums, and in TV shows.