The Bottle-nosed Dolphin is a sea mammal that can be regularly seen along the coastline of west England and off the coast near Cornwall. It can also be seen in the English Channel. It often swims with three to twelve dolphins in a group called a pod. This dolphin has a long beak which looks like the shape of a bottle and this is why it has its name the ‘Bottle-nosed Dolphin’. It is also the largest of the beaked dolphins.

The Bottle-nosed Dophin is about two and half to three metres in length and has a stocky-looking body. Its upperpart is dark grey and its throat and belly are pale grey. It has a fin on its back called a ‘dorsa'l fin and this fin looks very similar to the dorsal fin of a shark. The Bottle-nosed Dolphin also has a small ear hole behind each eye and one blowhole on the top of its head. It breathes through the blowhole.

Bottle-nosed Dolphins are relaxed and controlled swimmers and although they are not particularly playful dolphins, they do show interest in boats and swimmers. Bottle-nosed Dolphins have mouths that curve upwards which make look like they have a smile on their faces all the time. They do look very friendly sea creatures.