Age when attaining sexual maturity is variable among bottlenose
dolphins. On average, females become sexually mature when they
reach about 2.3 m (7.5 ft.), at about 5 to 12 years. Males become
sexually mature when they reach about 2.4 to 2.6 m (8-8.5 ft.),
at about 1 0 to 12 years (Mead and Potter, 1990; Odell, 1975).
B. Food intake.
Females seem to be sexually receptive during a large
part of the year and are generally responsible for initiating
courtship and breeding behavior.
Bottlenose dolphins may
breed throughout the year. However, certain breeding
seasons have been observed and vary with
location. Breeding seasons generally coincide with calving
seasons (Schroeder, 1990; Hansen, 1990; Odell, 1975).
See Birth seasons and intervals.
Just before mating, a male rubs
and nuzzles a female. he may also exhibit an "S-curve" posture,
in which he lifts his head up and points his tail flukes down
(Shane, et al., 1986; Herman, 1980).
