ry 2-4 years after a gestation period of 11 -17 months. Typically dolphins give birth to a single calf born tail first in most cases – not like other mammals do. If the calf is healthy, it will nurse for 1-2 years. Calves drink milk and they will swim along with their mother while drinking. Calves become sexually active at young age. Sometimes before reaching sexual maturity.
Bottlenose Dolphin. Photo Source: NRDC
By Rocky Kistner, NRDC