12.04.2023 – Practical matter

Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) are always a sight to behold. When they surf in the bow wave of the boat, you can clearly see the clear hourglass markings and the black saddle on the animals’ backs. In the morning there were even first class leaps right next to the boat. We observed as well one single Bottlnose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) next to the fish farm.

Also at noon we came across a group of Common dolphins. This trusting type of dolphin always delights our guests. Afterwards, what luck, our spotter Silviano was able to guide us to the Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) which were found by him before our trip started. We observed two groups of three. The second subgroup consisted of one adult and two juveniles. From our observation position we could clearly see the blowhole. The Sperm whale’s blowhole is on the front left. This creates the classic, diagonally forward blow of the Sperm whale. In the course of evolution and in the adaptation to the sea habitat, a blow hole developed from the nose, which migrated upwards. In this way, the marine mammal can glide gracefully through the water and breathe without having to sit up. A very practical matter.

On the Stenella the day brought in addition Atlantic Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and Pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus).

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09.30: Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphin

13.30: Common dolphins, Sperm whales

Stenella

09.30: Common dolphins, Striped dolphins

13.30: Common dolphins, Sperm whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins

16.00: Atlantic spotted dolphins, Pilot whales