06.06.2022 – Distinctly clever

Published by Paula Thake on June 13, 2022

Toothed whales (Odontoceti), the family of cetaceans containing dolphins, Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and beaked whales, are some of the smartest animals on the planet with a brain/body size ratio almost large enough to rival our own. Having smart predators in an ecosystem is a true game-changer since it facilitates adaptation in the face of change and dolphins are absolute masters at this. However, while intelligent animals are the easiest to empathise with, they are the hardest to categorise when it comes to behavioural patterns. These often vary amongst individual and according to region, so we must understand more about populations in different areas to understand more about dolphins.

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are by far the best documented and researched cetacean species on the planet which is largely due to their vast distribution and the fact that they survive longer in captivity than most other species. Coastal populations, even those frequenting the waters of Madeira, are very well studied and their documentation is largely based on photo-id data. Here, photos of markings on their dorsal fin as well as other possible features are used to identify individual animals and create catalogues.

While dorsal fins serve as the most basic reliable feature for identifying animals, characteristic features of other species, such as the spot pattern of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) or dorsal scars of Blainville’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) bulls also help in putting together such catalogues.

All mentioned species were encountered during todays tours and, of course, photographed by our crew. Using these we might proceed a little further and learn more about the smart and diverse family of cetaceans.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins

15:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Blainville’s beaked whales

Stenella

10:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins

15:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins