Around the World in 80 Animals - Bottlenose Dolphins

Sailing around the world isn't all waves and starry skies - I'll be seeing some amazing wildlife along the way too.

Over the coming months I'm going to be building up a list of all the animals I hope to see during my circumnavigation. These will range from birds, to mammals, to marine life, and will help open my eyes to the incredible variety of life out there in, on and above the oceans of the world.

This week the spotlight is on Leg 1, English Channel

The Bottlenose Dolphin

Fast facts:

Type: Mammal - they surface often, usually 2-3 times a minute
Diet: Carnivore - mainly bottom-dwelling fish, although they also eat shrimp and squid
Length: 10-14ft (3-4.2m)
Top speed: 18 mph (30kph)
Weight: 1100lb (500kg)
Global population: 600,000 approx.
Average lifespan in captivity: 45-50 yearsColouring: Grey (varies from dark grey to light grey on underside)
Group name: Pod

Size relative to a  6ft man:

Did you know? Bottlenose dolphins have been observed to breach (jump) up to 16ft (4.9m) out of the water, landing with a splash on their back or side