Inshore waters, including esturaries and shallow bays. Moreover, there are many records of dolphins voluntarily approaching humans, closely enough to be touched. The breeding season occurs in spring and early summer. After a gestation of 12-13 months, a single calf is born. The calves are well developed and able to swim immediately after birth.
Bottlenosed dolphins feed on a variety of fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs.
They will often follow fishing boats to feed on discarded fish. The bottlenose dolphin is protected in U.S. waters by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Bottlenose dolphins are still generally plentiful in numbers, but are at or near depletion in some areas. She helps the mother push the newborn to the surface for its first breath of air. The midwife also helps the mother protect the young from sharks for several weeks after its birth.