1. Several dolphin species call Florida coastal waters home. The most common of these is the bottle-nosed dolphin.
2. Bottlenose dolphins have robust, powerful bodies that are blue-gray on top with lighter sides and bellies. As adults they are typically 6 to 12 feet long and can eat more than 20 pounds of mullet, sheepshead, pinfish, flounder, and marine invertebrates each day.
3. Bottlenose dolphins show a high degree of intelligence, have a wide range of vocalizations, and may cooperate in fishing or taking care of injured conspecifics.
4. Dolphins have been known to live into their 50s, and reach weights of up to 140-650kg.
5. Dolphins live both inshore and offshore along temperate and tropical coasts worldwide.
6. Inshore dolphins live in small social groups of approximately 10 individuals; while offshore dolphins form larger groups of 10-100 individuals. 7.Dolphins travel about their home ranges in groups of 4-7 in shallower waters and more than 20 dolphins in deeper areas. The dolphins interact and re-form groups at will, somewhat like a kaleidoscope.
8. Dolphins are often heard clicking. Contrary to popular thought, clicking is likely not communication, but rather the sonar system dolphins use for navigation, food-finding and avoidance of predators.
9. It is against federal law to feed or harass wild dolphins. Swimming with or feeding dolphins can be dangerous for both human and dolphin and should not be attempted.
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‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued Officials said a dolphin is recovering at a Florida aquarium after being found stranded off the coast last week. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
Video: ‘Stable and swimming:’ Florida dolphin in rehabilitation after being rescued (Clearwater Marine Aquarium)
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Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.