Bottle nose dolphin

Scientific Name: Tursiops truncatus
Other Names: Bottle nosed Dolphin, Cowfish
Length: 6.3-12.8 ft. (1.9-3.9 m.)
Weight: 330-1440 lbs. (150-650 kg.)
Teeth: 74-100

Bottle nose dolphins are some of the best known species of dolphin. Many performing dolphins in zoos and aquariums are bottle nose dolphins. These dolphins vary greatly in size, shape, and color from one individual to the next. However, it appears that there are two main varieties: a smaller inshore form and a larger, more robust offshore form. In general, they are gray with darker backs than undersides. Bottle nose dolphins also have an inquisitive and active behavior. They frequently lobtail, bow ride, wake ride, and body surf. These dolphins are known to associate with other species of cetacea as well as humans, sharks, and sea turtles.

Their playful and sociable behavior is the common reason for the popularity of this species. Everybody must know the series called 'Flipper', they used many bottle nosed dolphins for this series. I cried when i saw one trainer on television telling about one dolphin who had died during the making. The dolphin was sunburned because of the little basin he was in. When the trainer rubbed the dolphin, he noticed there was something wrong. The dolphin than took a deep breath and went underwater, to the bottom of the basin. The dolphin never breath again, the trainer tried to help the dolphin on to the surface of the water, but the dolphin didn't want to. The dolphin had committed suicide! 
This is enough information for me that dolphins no matter what species, may not be held in captivity, if i could i would fight for it!!! Many links on my homepage refer to organizations which do help and make an effort to help stop killing dolphins and stop taking dolphins for oceanaria and dolphinaria.

These dolphins are very well known to general public. This is as a result of many oceanaria and dolphinaria, films and articles. Their apparent intelligence has attained a world wide fame. Their popularity was reflected in a television series, where the star is a bottle nosed dolphin. From earliest times, mariners have experienced the thrill of being escorted by groups of these creatures which jump and dive around the ship, apparently in the pure delight of living.
Some individuals seem genuinely fond of men and there are many stories of them swimming into bays to join in the frolics of bathers. Dolphins, probably individuals of this species, make regular trips with boats. Dolphins are well known to assist sick or injured members of their herd, helping them to the surface to breath and staying close to them for comfort and protection. Whilst scientists are reluctant to attribute higher emotions to creatures other than man, such behavior may be considered an extension of normal maternal concern.

Naval scientists have also been interested in the sound echo or sonar apparatus used by cetaceans.
They have also been tempted to adapt these creatures willingness to be trained to military purposes.
By attaching magnetic bombs to their bodies and training them to swim toward enemy ships on "suicide missions", they hope to overcome the difficulties of penetrating enemy sea defenses. People can be so kind to living creatures to serve their own needs......

The distribution of bottle nose dolphins range from cold temperate to tropical sea's worldwide. This species is found in all ocean and most seas. Unfortunately this species is the commonest kept in captivity, like the common dolphin. They are in captivity in many dolphinaria all over the world. The vast majority of these watery circuses have no other function than to titillate tired crowds of humans and in so doing make a profit. The welfare of the animals is of interest only in so far as it affects the economics of the operation. At all times of the year, the bottle nosed dolphin has been seen in British seas, but there is a great increase in its numbers during the summer. An annual migration approaches from the south-west in early summer and the dolphins spread up the English Channel, the Bristol Channel and St.George's Channel, and up the west coast of Ireland. Some of them pass the North sea, as few get beyond the coasts of Suffolk and Holland, on the west it is rare off the Atlantic coast of Scotland.