13.05.2025 – (Non) interactive

Today we saw a Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) on all tours. In the morning, the boats also had Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis). The encounters with the Atlantic spotted dolphins were active and extremely interactive with us, while the Sperm whale tried to avoid the attention. Well, the Atlantic is their home, they decide if they want to interact with us. At least I hope so.

What do the two species have in common, whether one is so big and the other so small? They both belong to the toothed whale category. Yes, dolphins are also toothed whales. Both species use their sonar to find food. In dolphins, the sound is emitted via the so-called melon, in sperm whales via the spermaceti organ.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Sperm whale, Atlantic spotted dolphins

Stenella

09:30 Sperm whale, Atlantic spotted dolphins

13:30 Sperm whale