Bottlenose dolphins have between 72 and 104 teeth. However, these teeth are not used for chewing but rather for catching and holding onto fish and other prey. Since dolphins swallow their prey whole, they don’t use their teeth to chew them.
Dolphins and hunting
Dolphins are skilled hunters, using their teeth to catch and hold onto fish, squid, and other prey. Thanks to their efficient hunting skills and adaptable teeth, they can eat a wide variety of prey. They employ various hunting techniques based on their prey and environment.
Dolphins hunt in groups using the “pinwheeling” technique. They circle a school of fish, corralling them into a tight group, then take turns darting in for a quick meal.
Pinwheeling is an effective hunting technique dolphins use to catch a variety of fish and marine animals. This method takes advantage of the prey’s natural avoidance behavior, concentrating them in a small area for easier capture and consumption.
