31.10.2022 – Wonderful
November 7, 2022
02.11.2022 – Playful inspiration
November 10, 2022
Cetaceans are extremely intelligent animals with complex social lives and, despite the variety of their social structures, interactions between individuals often transcend species boundaries. Mixed sightings, particularly in biodiversity hotspots like Madeira, aren’t a rarity when it comes to cetaceans. In Madeira and the Canaries, Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) are frequently encountered in close vicinity or in the company of Bottlenose dolphins.
While several theories exist for such assemblages, the fact that Bottlenose dolphins in Madeira venture together with their calves further offshore to pilot whale groups indicates that they must be gaining some sort of advantage. The current presence of a massive group of False orcas (Pseudorca crassidens) in the regions waters may definitely be a factor here, driving the opportunistic Bottlenose dolphins to seek protection for their vulnerable calves near the pilot whales. This is simply a theory of ours but, considering the fact that False orcas often prey on smaller cetaceans, it may not be far from the truth.
Both the Bottlenose dolphins and Short-finned pilot whales were visibly nervous in the past days, likely due to the presence of the False orcas, but that didn’t stop their little calves from having some playtime at the surface today. Like human children, oblivious of the potential threats that surround them, calves in both groups barrel-rolled, leapt and breached at the surface while their protectors gently guarded them during our sightings. It’s always wonderful to see young cetaceans have fun out at sea and such sightings also serve as a beacon of hope that different species of cetaceans sticking together may further ensure the survival of their calves.
By Paula Thake
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales
14:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales
Stenella
10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales
15:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales
