Ecology of Tursiops truncatus
 
Main Ref. Tan, J.M.L., 1995
Remarks Found primarily in coastal and inshore regions of tropical and temperate waters of the world (Ref. 936) and deeper channels between islands (Ref. 122680). Also inhabits pelagic waters, such as those in the eastern tropical Pacific (Ref. 936). In herds of less than 20 individuals (Ref. 801). Feeds either cooperatively or in solitary. They can obtain prey via 'fish whacking' and steering fish onto mudflats (Ref. 122680). Feeds on fish (Refs. 801, 936) crustaceans, and cephalopods (Ref. 801).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Tursiops truncatus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Pelagic;
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref. Tan, J.M.L., 1995
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood and M.A. Webber, 1993
Feeding habit hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood and M.A. Webber, 1993

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method original sample unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 4.50 0.79 4.28 0.67 Troph of juv./adults.
From individual food items 4.50 0.91 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref. Santos, M.B., G.J. Pierce, R.J.I.A.P. Patterson, H.M. Ross and E. Mente, 2001
(e.g. 9948)
(e.g. cnidaria)
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