ATLANTIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN FACTS
5 Things to Know about Dolphins before adventuring on a Dolphin Watching Cruise
One of the BEST experiences you can have on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a Dolphin Watching Excursion! There is nothing like seeing your family giddy from watching a Dolphin emerge from the water! Kids giggle and even Adults get that glimmer of childlike wonder in their eyes! Dolphin Watching Excursions are just ONE of the many offerings available through Ship Island Excursions.
These cruises are offered during the Ship Island Excursions Season (March-November) on Wednesdays-Fridays at 4:30pm and in the Spring and Fall Months offering an additional sailing of Saturdays & Sundays at 1pm.
Here are 5 Things You should know about Dolphins:
1. Dolphins you’ll most likely find in the Mississippi Sound are Atlantic Bottle-nosed Dolphins!
o Although there are approximately 30 different species of dolphins throughout the world, the dolphin species you are likely to find around the Mississippi Gulf Coast is that of the Atlantic Bottle-nosed Dolphin! These dolphins live in tropical and temperate oceans around the world and you can even spot them in bays and river estuaries!
2. A Dolphin can swim close to 20 miles per hour.
o You’ll have to be fast to catch them! Dolphins can swim more than 20 miles per hour. They definitely keep up with the Ship Island Excursion vessels! This also means you’re going to want to be sure to keep your cameras at the ready if you want to snap a picture or two!
3. A group of Dolphins is called a pod.
o If you spot a dolphin, watch closely for the rest of it’s pod! More often than not, you are likely to catch a POD of dolphins on your excursion. A pod of dolphins ranges from 10-15 dolphins! They play and hunt together. They also work together to raise the young dolphin calves!
4. Bottlenose Dolphins are carnivores.
o They eat mostly fish but have also been known to eat crustaceans and even squid! They have been known to eat about 5% of their body weight a day! With a dolphin’s weight an average of 400-500 lbs., that’s approximately 22.5 pounds of food a day!
5. They can hold their breathe for 5-7 minutes!
o Bottlenose Dolphins can often be spotted resurfacing for air which they get through their blowhole. They can hold their breath for 5-7 minutes! They also breathe
consciously so, when sleeping, they only shut down HALF of their brain at a time in order to keep that process going.
Aren’t dolphins just SO interesting? If you know any great dolphin facts, feel free to message us on Facebook or Instagram! We’d love to share that info!
While you’re there, be sure to give us a like AND a follow to stay up to date on all the wonderful Ship Island Excursion Offerings. Head over to https://msshipisland.com/cruises/dolphin-watching-cruise/ to book your trip