AN ACT adopting the bottlenose dolphin as the state marine mammal.

Whereas, bottlenose dolphins are marine mammals that are abundant along North Carolina's coastline; and

Whereas, bottlenose dolphins have a short, thick beak and a curved mouth, giving the appearance that they are always smiling; and

Whereas, bottlenose dolphins are usually gray in color and can range in length from 6 to 13 feet long; and

Whereas, bottlenose dolphins are social animals that travel in groups of 10‑15, called pods; and

Whereas, bottlenose dolphins produce high‑pitched clicks, called echolocation, to help them navigate and find food; and

Whereas, bottlenose dolphins can swim speeds of over 20 miles per hour, dive as deep as 800 feet below the surface, and can launch themselves up to 15 feet out of the water; and

Whereas, the State of North Carolina does not have an official State marine mammal; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 145‑52.  State marine mammal.

The bottlenose dolphin is adopted as the official marine mammal of the State of North Carolina.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.