06.04.2023 – Variety of habitat
April 13, 2023
08.04.2023 – Meeting point
April 15, 2023
The Atlantic Ocean had a few surprises in store for our team this Good Friday. Our day began with encounters of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), a fabulous duo to start this years Easter weekend!
Although the combination may seem odd, our team has had sightings of both these species together several times. The implications of such assemblages are yet unknown but it’s highly unlikely that the Bottlenose Dolphins are earning any sort of hunting advantages. The deepest dive ever recorded for a Bottlenose dolphin was 550m, which is quite an achievement but doesn’t compare to the depths reached by Sperm whales during their foraging dives, which often surpass 1500m. Maybe the Bottlenose are simply curious or seeking safety with their larger toothed whale cousins, for now we can only wonder. What’s for sure is that such mixed sightings almost always include Bottlenose Dolphins, both in Madeira and around the globe. Just another point to emphasise the intelligence of these charismatic dolphins!
The streetwise Bottlenose were again encountered by our speedboat in the afternoon and finalised this fantastic day out in the ocean.
By Paula Thake
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Sperm whales
13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Sperm whales
Stenella
09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Sperm whales
13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Sperm whales
16:00 Bottlenose Dolphins
