Atlantic. They are known from at least Nova Scotia but are 

 best known from New England southward to Florida, 

 westward in the Gulf of Mexico, and thence throughout the 

 West Indies and Caribbean to Venezuela. 



In the northern portion of that range, Atlantic 

 bottlenosed dolphins are distributed offshore. In the 

 southern portions of their range from at least North Carolina 

 southward, the majority are found nearshore and often enter 

 bays and lagoons, and sometimes venture up the larger 

 rivers. Daily migrations in these areas may follow tidal flow. 



In these same southerly areas some Atlantic bottlenosed 

 dolphins are distributed as far offshore as the edge of the 

 continental shelf. 



Stranded Specimens 



Within their range, stranded Atlantic bottlenosed 

 dolphins should be readily identifiable by 1) the robust body, 

 2) relatively short beak, and 3) the 20-26 teeth in each upper 

 jaw and 18-24 in each lower jaw. 



Figure 145. -An Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin taken at Isia La Blanquilla, off Venezuela. Because they inhabit shallow waters, Atlantic bottlenosed 



dolphins are infrequent victims of strandings. {Photo courtesy ofF. Cervigon.1 



Figure 146. — Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins have from 

 20 to 26 teeth in each side of the upper jaw and from 18 

 to 24 in each side of the lower jaw. These teeth, sharply- 

 pointed in younger animals, may wear substantially as 

 the animal ages. {Photo courtesy of Wometco Miami 

 Seaquarium. ) 



131 



