What does a newborn dolphin calf look like?
At birth, a bottlenose dolphin calf is about 3 – 4 feet long and weighs 30 – 40 pounds. They are born with their dorsal fin flat on their back and their tail flukes curled. The dorsal fin is usually standing erect by about 24-48 hours after birth, though it may remain wobbly for many years. Their flukes also flatten out within 24-48 hours. A newborn calf is generally dark in color with light stripes called fetal folds.
