17.11.2022 – Topless

After a long search, we had two nice encounters with Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus). Both species are among the dolphins identified by their dorsal fin. The dorsal fin is not only a great identifier for each species of marine mammal due to its shape and positioning on the back, but is also used to identify each individual.

Even if the dorsal fins of the different animals look the same at first glance, each fin has its own shape. Some are broader at the base, others have a larger bulge or have individual markings. The dorsal fin also serves to stabilize the animal while moving through the water. Today in the pod of Bottlenose dolphin we had a well-known animal that we call topless. The male Orca has the largest dorsal fin among marine mammals. It can reach a height of 1.8 m.

by Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Stenella

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Pilot whales