How much do dolphins eat?
An average dolphin eats about 3-5% of their body weight each day. An adult male typically eats about 20 pounds of fish, while a nursing mother can eat upwards of 40 pounds of fish daily! Although it is not uncommon for bottlenose dolphin calves to nurse for up to 4 years, they usually begin to supplement their diet with fish at about 6 months of age. A dolphin’s caloric needs vary based on changes in water temperature and activity level.
