02.05.2018 – Baby Bottlenose
May 10, 2018
04.05.2018 – Male or female?
May 12, 2018
In a world of an ever-changing environment, one phenomenon we can expect to see over and over again is modifications in behavioral patterns among species. Dolphins aren’t new to adaptations. Most dolphin pods are considered to be fission-fusion societies with random associations and dissociations of individuals within the group. This can also happen on an interspecific level and may lead to interesting interactions among different groups of animals. Every so often, altruistic behavior and curiosity towards other mammal species, including human beings, can be observed in cetacean groups and thereby create surprising encounters.
After enjoying the company of surface active Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), we headed out 5 nautical miles to encounter a group of Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), who were in the company of a handful of Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). Generally Striped dolphins are fast, swift swimmers that tend to avoid our boats but today, in the company of the common dolphins, they swam gently at our bow.
During the afternoon tour we likely met the same group of Bottlenose dolphins from this morning again in front of the marina of Calheta. While some animals were busy hunting, others approached our bow and occasionally took a glance up at our guests.
The curiosity of the animals towards our boats never fails to fascinate me; observations out at sea seem to go both ways.
By Paula Thake
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-beaked common dolphins, Striped dolphins, Loggerhead turtle
14:30 Bottlenose dolphins
