Gestation usually lasts about 12 months, and while mating can happen year round, peak breeding time varies by region. As the mother gives birth, the baby comes out tail first so the baby does not drown. As soon as the baby’s head is clear of the birth canal, it heads straight to the surface for its first breath. Young bottlenose dolphins nurse for the first 18 months of their lives, but can remain with their mothers for about 6 years to learn how to hunt.
Mothers giving birth will usually stray from the pod to have the baby alone, but sometimes another female might be present to act like a midwife and help out. This is usually the only other dolphin the mother will allow to be near her calf.
No comments:
Post a Comment