• Skip to main content
We're currently closed.Open Today 10am - 6pm
  • Webcams
  • About CMA
    • What We Do
    • Get Involved
    • CMA Research Institute
    • Educational Resources
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • News
    • Press
    • Blog Updates
    • Rescue Map
  • Help CMA
    • Virtual Auction
    • Save a Seat
    • 2021 Calendars
    • Rescue Walk Plaques
    • Face Mask Gifts
    • Adopt an Animal
    • Donate Boat or Vehicle
    • Donations
We're currently closed.Open Today 10am - 6pm
Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

  • Visit
    • Admissions
    • Visit Info
    • Group Visits
    • Hotel Partners
    • Covid-19 Safety
    • FAQs
    • Gift Shop
  • Experience
    • Meet Rescued Animals
    • Experiences & Exhibits
    • Boat Rides & Guided Tours
    • Upcoming Events
    • Plan an Event
    • Rescue Center
  • Learn
    • Educational Programs
    • Homeschool and Virtual Programs
    • Off-Site Programs
    • Educational Summer Programs
    • Boat Rides & Guided Tours
    • Online Learning
  • Winter’s Inspiration
    • Winter & Hope
    • Dolphin Tale Set
    • Inspirational Stories
    • Personalized Video Messages
    • Kids Zone
  • Become a Member
  • Get Tickets
Experience • Rescued Animals • Dolphins

Rex the Rough-Toothed Dolphin

Updated October 21, 2020 Posted August 6, 2020

Rex is a rough-toothed dolphin who was found stranded off of St. George Island, Florida in April 2019. He was brought to CMA to be a companion for our first rescued rough-toothed dolphin, Rudolph.

Where to See

  • Rescue Deck

Meet Rex

Rex

Rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis)
Dolphin Terrace
Age
5-7 (Estimated)
Sex
Male
Diet
Herring, capelin, silversides
Rescue Date
04/19/2019
Origin
St. George Island, Florida

Rex is a rough-toothed dolphin who stranded on St. George Island in Franklin County, Florida on April 19, 2019, and is estimated to be about 5-7 years old. With fair body condition upon stranding, Rex later demonstrated challenges with his lungs likely due to aspiration and fungal pneumonia in rehab. Further diagnostic testing revealed that Rex had ingested several marine sponges! It is common to find sponge in the stomach of this particular species. Interestingly, one theory is that this behavior could be correlated with hearing loss. This concept suggests eating sponges may fill the stomach when finding fish may be difficult due to loss of hearing associated with echolocation.

During his rehabilitation, hearing tests determined Rex had significant hearing loss, which would impact his ability to echolocate for food and to evade predators. Because of his hearing loss, NMFS deemed Rex non-releasable in August 2019 and placed him for care at Gulf World which was the only facility to house other rough-toothed dolphins. Because of the close proximity of age, Rex makes the perfect partner for Rudolph the rough-toothed dolphin, whose home is Clearwater Marine Aquarium. It’s important that Rex and Rudolph are paired as socialization is critical to the welfare of dolphins to promote optimal social development and reduces stress.

Visit Rex
View Webcam

Rex Videos

  • Watch Video
Watch Video

More about Rex

Rudolph's Companion

Rex was originally a permanent resident at Gulf World, the only North American facility at the time to house rescued rough-toothed dolphins. In July 2020, a rough-toothed dolphin named Rudolph became a permanent resident at Clearwater Marine Aquarium after being deemed non-releasable due to similar hearing loss. CMA has a history of providing excellent care for dolphins who exhibit hearing loss, like Panama, PJ, and Hemingway.

Rex joined the CMA family as a companion for Rudolph, and they became very fast friends! They can be seen playing together in Dolphin Terrace and on our webcams.

 

Did You Know…

Rex was found stranded and was reported by local residents.
Rough-toothed dolphins can remain underwater for up to 15 minutes.
Rex was brought to CMA to be a companion for Rudolph.

Rex’s Companion

  • Rudy
    Rudolph

Hang with Rex

Photo with a Dolphin

Learn MoreBook Now
Dolphin Care Assistant Teaching Kids to Interact with Dolphin

Dolphin Care Experience

Learn MoreBook Now
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
727-441-1790

Sign up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe

Shop • Careers & Internships • Contact


Get Involved

Volunteer • Donate • Give Supplies • Boat & Vehicle Donations


© 2021 Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Privacy Policy • Terms & Conditions • Accessibility

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM, A FL-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION NO. CH352), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING www.800helpfla.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Federal Tax ID#: 59-2086737.

  • Webcams
  • Membership
  • Get Tickets
  • My Day
  • Experience
  • Visit
  • Experience
  • Learn
  • Winter’s Inspiration
  • Live Webcams
  • About CMA
  • Blog & News
  • Donate
  • Get Tickets