The disease triggers it's own cure. Age is estimated by examining a sliced section of a tooth and counting growth layers produced during the aging process. Bottlenose dolphins are the most common dolphin species in the Gulf of Mexico and are estimated to number in the 35,000 to 45,000 range. Dolphins do have taste buds. The skin of dolphins is sensitive to touch and the dolphin's sense of touch is well-developed.
Dolphins can see quite well both in and out of the water.
A calf will ride in its mother's wake created when she is swimming. This helps the baby to swim and, therefore, enables both mother and calf to keep up with the pod. Dolphins may bear a calf every other year, and in the northern Gulf of Mexico, bottlenose dolphins give birth in the spring. Gestation period is about 12 months. The calf is usually 42 to 48 inches long and weighs 25 to 40 lbs.