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Dolphins are brought into the world after a long pregnancy and like humans, live with their family for some time but eventually leave in search of a mate with whom they can breed. Dolphins can mate from about 6-8 years of age; this age is where they become an adult. Young dolphins are born after a 12 month pregnancy and most births are in Spring or Autumn. When the calf is born it is about a meter long. A female only has about 8 young over her life time.
Life Cycle
1) The female gives birth to a single calf after a 12 month pregnancy. The calf can swim straight away.
Life Cycle
1) The female gives birth to a single calf after a 12 month pregnancy. The calf can swim straight away.
2) For the first week, the mother and calf are inseparable. The calf soon begins to swim on its own. The calf is looked after by the mother’s relatives while the mother goes hunting.
3) Weaning (getting used to other foods then its mother’s milk) begins as early as 4 months but the calf carries on drinking milk until it is 18 months. The bond between mother and child will be strong for several years.
4) Between 3-6 years of age, the juvenile dolphin leaves its motherly band. It joins a sub-adult group which includes the friends it has grown up with.
5) Females mature between 5-13 years old, but males mature later at about the age of 12. Females return to the bands in which they were born. Males go off in search of females with whom they can breed.
6) Females have a calf every 2-4 years and may continue to breed into their 40’s. Females may live for up to 50 years. Males usually only reach their early 30’s, sometimes it’s because of violent clashes with rival males that males die young.