How Do Dolphins Give Birth?

Whether you are gathering information on dolphins for a school report or simply want to freshen up on your dolphin facts before that trip to SeaWorld, it's a good idea to understand the life cycle of dolphins. By learning about their reproductive nature, you can discover how these underwater mammals are similar to or different than other types of mammals.

  1. Behavior

    • When a pregnant dolphin mother is about to give birth, she typically separates herself from the group. Dolphins are social mammals that travel in pods of five to a few hundred, according to Defenders of Wildlife. The distancing of the mother is a sign that she is about to have her calf. According to Dolphin Reef, other members of the mother's pod may hang around her, as if to assist, during the delivery.

    Mating Season and Gestation Period

    • The mating season for dolphins can occur year round, but the peak is in the spring and fall seasons. Dolphins have a gestation period of between nine and 17 months, a number that depends on the particular species. When the dolphin mother finally goes into labor, it can last around two and a half hours.

    Delivery

    • Dolphin calves are born tail first, directly into the water. Mothers typically give birth near the surface of the water, so that once the calf is born the mother can bring it to the surface for its first breath of air. Because dolphins are mammals, they need to breathe air in order to survive.

    Nursing

    • The dolphin calf nurses between 11 months and two years. Calves stay next to their mothers as they travel with their pods. Even after the calf is done nursing, it continues to cling to its mother for several more years.