1. Physical Characteristics:
- Bottlenose Dolphins:
- Larger in size, typically ranging from 6 to 14 feet in length.
- Have a more robust build with a prominent beak.
- Dorsal fin located in the middle of the back, slightly falcate or curved backward.
- Common Dolphins:
- Smaller in size, typically measuring around 5 to 8 feet in length.
- Have a slender and streamlined body with a short, less pronounced beak.
- Dorsal fin positioned further back on the body, usually tall and triangular in shape.
2. Coloration:
- Bottlenose Dolphins:
- Vary in color from light gray to dark gray, with a lighter underside.
- Some populations, like the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, have a pinkish hue on their ventral side.
- Common Dolphins:
- Typically have a striking black and white or gray and white coloration.
- They have bold patterns on their sides, including stripes, chevrons, or spots.
3. Habitat and Distribution:
- Bottlenose Dolphins:
- Found in coastal waters, bays, estuaries, and even rivers in some cases.
- Have a wider global distribution, occurring in tropical and temperate waters worldwide.
- Common Dolphins:
- Mainly inhabit offshore and oceanic environments.
- More likely to be found in deep waters and open ocean habitats compared to bottlenose dolphins.
4. Social Structure and Behavior:
- Bottlenose Dolphins:
- Live in well-defined social groups called pods, with strong social bonds and alliances within the group.
- Known for their cooperative behaviors and long-term relationships.
- Common Dolphins:
- Also live in social groups, but their pods tend to be larger and less stable compared to bottlenose dolphins.
- Common dolphins are often found associating with other dolphin species or marine mammals.
5. Communication:
- Bottlenose Dolphins:
- Use a complex system of whistles, clicks, and pulsed calls for communication.
- Renowned for their vocal learning abilities and signature whistles that allow for individual identification.
- Common Dolphins:
- Also communicate through a variety of clicks and whistles.
- Their vocal repertoire is less diversified compared to bottlenose dolphins, and vocal learning is less pronounced.
6. Diet:
- Bottlenose Dolphins:
- Primarily feed on fish, but their diet can include squid, crustaceans, and even smaller dolphins or porpoises.
- Common Dolphins:
- Mainly consume fish, with a preference for smaller schooling fish like sardines, anchovies, or mackerel.
It's important to note that while these are general differences between bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins, there can be some variations within each species depending on their specific population or geographic location.