Deilf
The dolphin is one of 24 species of cetacean recorded in Irish waters. There are many different type of dolphins, but the most common in Ireland is the Bottlenose dolphin.
Fungi the dolphin
Fungi the dolphin
Copyright Mike BrownFungi the dolphin
Copyright Mike Brown
Copyright Mike Brown
Fungi the dolphin
Fungi the dolphin
Copyright Mike BrownBoth Fungie, the Dingle dolphin, and those found in the Shannon Estuary are Bottlenose dolphins. They are easy to recognise because of their grey colour and short, stubby nose.
Bottlenose dolphins have a very inquisitive and curious nature. They will often swim up to boats, follow them into the harbour and even leap out over the surface of the water!
Have you ever seen a Bottlenose dolphin along the coast of Ireland?
Life
Bottlenose dolphins have a very long life. Males live from 25 to 30 years, while females can live for up to 40 years. The calf, or baby dolphin, depends entirely on its mother for food for the first year of its life, but its father has no role in rearing the young calf at all.
Did you know?
Sound travels much better underwater than light, so dolphins can hear a lot more than they can see. They make a lot of different sounds, such as clicks, whistles and groans. Each dolphin will even develop its own distinctive whistle soon after birth so that the mother and calf can find each other in the big ocean!