30.06.2025 – Not all dolphins are the same…
July 6, 2025
When working with marine mammals, the knowledge of many years and observations flows in. You quickly learn that the different whale and dolphin species generally exhibit certain behavioural patterns. One example: Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) are often very interactive in their contact with the boat. Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) are usually very reserved. It is more than rare to have the pleasure of seeing them up close. But today was the day: These beautiful Striped dolphins that behaved like Atlantic spotted dolphins. We were very pleased.
On the second tour we observed our occasional visitors, the Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis). They had a tiny calf in their luggage. As usual, they sought contact with the boat. On the way back, there were also striped dolphins, but they were behaving in the classic reserved manner.
On our third tour, we encountered two Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris). Although these small whales are very shy, we were lucky and were able to observe these primeval-looking animals for a few moments. The Atlantic spotted dolphins also made an appearance.
By Fatima Kutzschbach
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
09:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins
13:00 Rough-toothed dolphins
16:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins
Stenella
09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Striped dolphins
13:30 Rough-toothed dolphins, Striped dolphins
16:30Blainville’s beaked whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins
