Predation: Bottlenose dolphins are top ocean predators with few predators of their own, although they sometimes become prey for sharks and orcas.

Sexual Competition: A behavioural study of Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins suggests that males are more aggressive than females, and use sexual coercion during the breeding season, but age and sex-specific patterns of aggression have not been well documented. 

Disease: Dolphins may suffer from viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.

Other causes: They can become tangled in fishing gear and are still hunted by humans in some parts of the world.

Inter-species – within the species: Certain bottlenose dolphin pods can experience competition with other pods. Male dolphins compete with other males for things like hierarchy or female dolphins. 

Intra-species – with other species: Dolphins have had a complicated history of competition with sharks. Also, they feed mostly on benthic fish and small squids, and therefore are often in direct competition with fishermen.  

What do they compete over: They compete for things like dominance, female partners, and food. 

Effect of invasive species: Invasive species can lead to the extinction of native plants and animals, destroy biodiversity, and permanently alter habitats through both direct and indirect effects. 

Population: Bottlenose dolphins are not endangered or threatened. Their worldwide population is about 600,000. 

Population Trend: Unprecedented heat spells in some places and the fishing industry have caused populations to decline in recent years, but current populations seem to remain stable.

What impacts have occurred: Human-related threats known to bottlenose dolphins include entanglement in recreational and commercial fishing gear, illegal feeding, activities causing harassment, boat strikes, marine debris impacts, and chemical contaminants.

Potential Future impacts: Habitat degradation, climate change, and toxic contamination will most likely continue to affect dolphin populations in the future. 

How long have humans been interacting with species: One of the earliest reports of interaction between humans and dolphins is attributed to 'Pliny the Elder', around 70 AD. 

Efforts being made to minimize impacts: Humans cutting back on single-use plastics, joining beach cleanup crews, and avoiding items or experiences that exploit marine life.