Bottlenose Dolphin

Deilf bholgshrónach - Tursiops truncatus 

How to identify  

Thanks to the cult series ‘Flipper’, most people are familiar with bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). They are large (2.50 to 3.80m long) and have a robust body. Their beak is short and thick, with a sharp crease between it and the forehead. They are dark grey with a pale underside and do not have distinct markings. Their curved dorsal fin is halfway down their back.  

Bottlenose dolphins of Cardigan Bay in Wales – Leonie Schulz 

Ecology, social dynamics and seasonality 

Bottlenose dolphins can be found in tropical and temperate, coastal and offshore waters. Ireland has a unique resident population living in the Shannon Estuary, but one other coastal and one offshore population have also been identified. Most populations have a home range within which they stay all their life rather than migrating. While coastal populations generally form small groups of 2 to 15 animals, larger groups occur in offshore populations. They feed on salmon, blue whiting, whiting, mackerel, pollock and squid and have different feeding habits depending on where they live and what they feed on. Bottlenose dolphins can be very active and frequently be seen leaping their whole body out of the water. 

Bottlenose dolphins along the Iveragh coast  

While the Shannon dolphin population mostly stays within the Shannon estuary and nearby bays (Tralee and Brandon), other populations can be seen from Iveragh. Most recent land sightings have been from Portmagee, Caherdaniel and off Valentia Island, with groups of up to 22 animals. But they can also be encountered around the Skellig Islands from boats. Stranded animals have also been reported from Waterville.

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