Florida’s State Saltwater Mammal

Porpoise or Dolphin?

The dolphin, sometimes called a porpoise, is the state’s saltwater mammal. The species most commonly found in Daytona Beach waters is the Bottlenose dolphin. They are six to eight feet long, travel in groups and can often be seen from boats or the shore. Their skin is gray or black with a lighter underside. Sailors who spot them near their boats consider them a sign of good luck. They have no sense of smell but have a system of echolocation (like sonar) that directs them in their travels. They have a well-defined snout, keen eyesight, extraordinary hearing and can live to the age of thirty.