29.11.2022 – Wintery sea

Published by Fatima Kutzschbach on December 7, 2022

Three Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) migrated along the coast. They accompanied us for a while and passed under our boat to the other side. The second sighting of the morning were the Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). They had a little calf in their midst. These beautiful animals are easily identified by their hourglass markings and black cape. These animals are up to 2.40 m long and can weigh up to 75 kg. We call them winter dolphins because this marine mammal species prefers cooler waters. With a water temperature of 10 to 20 degrees.

In the afternoon we were out on a wintry sea of Madeira. Waves, gray clouds, a long search. But in the end, there was still a small school of Bottlenose dolphins. The group consisted of two adults, one juvenile animal and one calf. We had English guests on board who know this dolphin species from England. Bottlenose dolphins have a wide range. You are able to see them in England, Scotland, Ireland, as well as in the Caribbean. They feel at home in temperate waters as well as tropical ones. Although it has to be said that Bottlenose dolphins are not that big in the Caribbean. I have often seen them in the Bay of Samana/ Dominican Republic and there they are almost two meters tall, if at all.