14.10.2025 – One mammal at a time

Interspecific interactions, or interactions between different species, are anything but a rarity amongst cetaceans. They allow the animals to understand where they can find protection, feeding advantages or maybe just an opportunity to liven up their social lives. These interactions bring a number of opportunities for these smart marine mammals but few have mastered them like the Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).

These social mammals often change their behaviour around other cetaceans, mimicking the other species vocalisations and movements. This morning we saw them around a family of Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), a peaceful cetacean species that shares its home range with Madeira’s resident Bottlenose population. Often, they even mimic the swim behaviour of the pilot whales so we can already imagine what things must be like underwater. Usually Bottlenose dolphins follow the rule of one mammal at a time, focusing on the interaction with their fellow marine mammals rather than paying attention to us. However, today a few approached our boat and calmly spent a little time at the bow.

In the afternoon my colleagues managed sightings with these species on all the tours, proving that such interactions needn’t only last one sighting but can extend over the entire day.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

13:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

Stenella

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

16:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales