14.08.2016 – Mixed dolphin pods

I often get the question if different species of dolphins live together. I then explain that dolphins most commonly live together in pods with the same species. However, there are exceptions to the rule. More than 30 species of dolphins and whales are said to swim together in mixed groups; however, this is often briefly, and this phenomenon is mostly anecdotal and not well studied.

Today we saw such an example. We came across two bottlenose dolphins that swam in the middle of a group of common dolphins. We do see two species in the same area more often, but this time, the bottlenose dolphins were synchronizing with the common dolphins: mimicking their behavior and body language.

The most remarkable example I find the dolphins in the Bahamas. There, Atlantic Spotted Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins spend more than 15% of their time in mixed groups. For example, they babysit each other’s calves, the males have dominance displays when they are chasing each others females, and the two species form temporary alliances when they chase each other’s sharks away. These dolphins are truly social and very smart. Yet, there is still so much about these beautiful animals that we don’t understand. We’re just scratching the surface! It’s one of the things that makes the sea and it’s inhabitants so intriguing and leaves the mind to wonder…

by Judith Kok

Todays sightings:

Ribeira Brava:

09.00: Bottlenose Dolphins, Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, Common Dolphins

17.00: Bottlenose Dolphins, Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, Common Dolphins

Stenella:

09.00: Bottlenose Dolphins, Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, Common Dolphins

15.30: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins

18.00: Bottlenose Dolphins, Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, Common Dolphins

14.08.2016