Bottlenose | Māori name — Terehu
There are nine different species of dolphin found around the New Zealand coast, including Hector's, Māui and Bottlenose dolphins.
If you are out on the water in the Bay of Islands and encounter dolphins, they will most likely be a Bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) — we are home to NZ's largest population, approximately 450 individuals live in the area.
Bottlenose dolphins have a relatively short beak and a high, hooked and prominent dorsal fin. They are dark or light grey on the back, grading to white on the undersides. Newborns are 85cm–1.3m in length; adults 1.9–3.9m.
Bottlenose dolphins are super swimmers, reaching speeds over 30km/h and diving as deep as 250m. They are also awesome acrobats — launching themselves up to five metres out of the water. This "breaching" may be to get a better view, clean parasites, communicate with other pods, or just for fun!
Bottlenose dolphins are widely distributed throughout the world in cold temperate and tropical seas. New Zealand is at the southern most point of their range.
DIET AND FORAGING
Individuals living close to shore feed primarily on inshore bottom-dwelling fish and invertebrate species. Those offshore feed on mid-water fish and oceanic squid. Individual feeding is most common but they also work together to herd schools of fish.
BREEDING
Females breed every 3–5 years. Calves suckle for around 2–3 years. Calving peaks occur between spring and summer/autumn. Females can live 50+ years; males 40–45 years.
PREDATORS
Sharks are probably the most important predators of bottlenose dolphins — shark-bite scars are found on as many as half of all bottlenose dolphins. Killer whales are also likely predators.
We are passionate about protecting our local marine life and adhere to the Marine Mammal Protection Regulations (1992).
Seeing a pod of dolphins in their natural habitat is truly a sight to behold — they are majestic in water and really do like to play!