Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is in the Oceanic Dolphins family (Delphinidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 9,128 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Common Bottlenose Dolphin: observations by month (U.S.)
About Common Bottlenose Dolphin
The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), or Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, is the most well-known species from the family Delphinidae.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Common Bottlenose Dolphin by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3,585 | December | Nov–Oct |
| Florida | 3,124 | March | Feb–Jan |
| Texas | 1,535 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Alabama | 368 | September | Feb–Dec |
| Louisiana | 256 | April | Mar–Jul |
| Mississippi | 139 | September | May–Sep |
| Hawaii | 105 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Massachusetts | 8 | December | Dec–Dec |
| Virginia | 5 | May | May–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Oceanic Dolphins)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Common Bottlenose Dolphin?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from February to January.
Where is Common Bottlenose Dolphin most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Florida, Texas.