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| Distribution |
In NC, this newly described species occur along the immediate coast and into estuaries and sounds, from the VA line to the SC line. It ranges only a few miles offshore. There is typically a gap of 10 or more miles before the "offshore Bottlenose Dolphin" is found. This "new" species is what has been known as the "inshore Bottlenose Dolphin" form, with a range separated by perhaps 10 or more miles off our coast before the "offshore Bottlenose Dolphin" is found. That latter species is the deep-water form that retains the common and scientific names of the original species -- Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
Known at least coastally from NY to FL. It is not clear if bottlenose dolphin populations in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea are Tamanend's or not. |
| Abundance |
Very common to abundant, our most frequently seen, by far, of all of the marine mammals in the state. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
Occurs all year, with seemingly little change in abundance level from season to season. |
| Habitat |
Occurs in the relatively shallow waters of the inshore ocean and estuaries and sounds, though not numerous inside the inlets. |
| Behavior |
This is an active species, frequently seen from shore, rising partly above the water surface. However, it is much less acrobatic than other dolphins, which may completely jump out of the water. Groups are fairly small, typically only 10-25 individuals, instead of many dozens to hundreds like those in other genera. |
| Comments |
In 2023, a published paper split the "inshore" form of Common Bottlenose Dolphin from the "offshore" form. This inshore form was first described by Cope in 1865, as Delphinus erebennus. The new species is named for Tamanend, the chief of an Indian nation where the original (holotype) specimen was collected. Thus, scientists have been aware of both an inshore form and an offshore form, with a gap in-between, for more than 150 years. |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S5M |
| State Status |
|
| Global Rank |
GNR [G5] |
| Federal Status |
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| subspecies |
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| other_comName |
Inshore Bottlenose Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Atlantic Bottlenose(d) Dolphin |
| synonym |
Tursiops truncatus |
