13.05.2024 – Beauty and camouflage

Published by Fatima Kutzschbach on May 21, 2024

Today we had our cute, lively, interactive Atlantic spotted dolphins on most of our tours. They are a delight every time! On the lunch tour we had Mala and Vivi on board, two little dolphin fans. The two girls were full of joy, enthusiasm and curiosity. I really like that! Thank you, you were great!

The distinctive colour pattern of the Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) is not just for aesthetic purposes. It also has a functional meaning. The colour pattern is camouflage and therefore protection, as it blurs their contours in seawater. This adaptation is particularly important as Spotted dolphins often live near the surface of the water, where they could be hunted by potential predators such as sharks and orcas. Overall, the patterning of striped dolphins is a remarkable example of nature’s adaptability and beauty that allows them to survive and thrive in the diverse habitats of the oceans.

Today we also saw the elegant Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). On our last trip we were able to observe something special. Our inshore Bottlenose dolphins approached three kayakers, who had the pleasure of being accompanied by these majestic dolphins. It was the first time I’ve seen this since I’ve been here in Madeira. Truly marvellous! There was a personal surprise for me on our last tour. Tracy, a naturalist from California, was on board. She works for my favourite whale watching company in Dana Point. So if you’re ever travelling to California, you should definitely pay Captain Dave a visit.