How long do bottlenose dolphins live

There are plenty of movies and TV stories where an intelligent dolphin "saves the day" for humans living along the waters. A dolphin may never rescue you, but these remarkable marine animals entertain people and help researchers learn more about the aquatic world.

Dolphins can live for decades, but health issues, injuries, predators and human activity can shorten the dolphin lifespan for many of these splendid creatures.

Dolphins: An Overview

Dolphins come in a variety of sizes, with the orca dolphin weighing up to 10 tons and stretching to 10 meters (33 feet).

How long do dolphins live in the wild

On the other hand, Maui's dolphin, nature's smallest, only reaches 1.2 meters (4 feet). As the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes, these animals are "an important sentinel species" that can warn humans of health risks associated with ocean water.

Because dolphins sit at the top of the ocean food chain, they can help scientists monitor that environment and identify issues that threaten the oceanic ecosystem.