18.02.2022 – Dolphins for beginners

As I already mentioned in a recent blog; the family of oceanic dolphins, or Delphinidae, is brimming with diversity, with species in all shapes and sizes. Nonetheless the image that pops into most of our heads when we hear the word dolphin is the grey, friendly and stout face of the Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Alone this species enjoys an incredible diversity! Four subspecies have been described across the globe as well as two ecotypes, a coastal and an offshore, both of which can be encountered around Madeira. Most sightings, like the one we had the pleasure of enjoying this morning, are with coastal ecotypes but these populations often welcome the larger, gutsier offshore bottlenose dolphins into their pods.

Another dolphin for beginners is the Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), a colourful ocean inhabitant which is one of the earliest described species of dolphin, with records dating back all the way to ancient Greek, Roman and even Minoan times. The species loves to forage in cooler waters, making it a more common visitor during the winter season here in Madeira. The reason they come to Madeira is also quite evident during sightings of the species at sea. Practically all of our encounters in the last weeks and today involved some animals engaged in a hunt for Halfbeaks (Belone belone), planktivorous fish that don’t stand a chance against the quick, coordinated attacks of the common dolphins. Such spectacles are a joy to witness at sea and are but a taste of the exciting stuff one can observe in the dolphin family.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Stenella

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-beaked common dolphins

15:00 Short-beaked common dolphins