30.11.2018 – In flow

This morning everything was in a flow! Just out of the harbor and we had already two interested Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) riding in Ribeira Brava‘s bow wave. After extensive admiration of this huge type of dolphins we set course out. Shortly afterwards we had the pleasure to enjoy a numerous visit of the same species in our bow wave. Not unusual that we also saw Pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) in this sighting. Often, these two large dolphin species spent time together in one area. These animals moved vigorously westwards. After marveling both species, we turned again to discover spouts oft wo sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) at some distance. It did not remain just with these two, shortly after they had disappeared into the blue then we met a group of 6-7 other Sperm whales. Filipe approached with a lot of time and sensitivity and everyone had a good look at these big toothed whales.

Three species in one morning, how excellent!! And now for every species a little “fun factor” 🙂 :

1. There are three types of Bottlenose dolphins! The Common Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) prefers temperate, tropical and sub-tropical waters. The Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) is found in the waters around India, northern Australia, southern China, the Red Sea and along the African east coast. The Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis) lives exclusively in Australian waters.

2. Short fined Pilot Whales are one of the few mammal species where females enter menopause.

3. Sperm whales got their name because it was first believed that the semi-fluid, waxy substance (called Spermaceti) in their head is sperm. For a long time scientists have been trying to recognize its biological role. Some scientists believe that Spermaceti could help them descend and ascend by changing their buoyancy. Other scientists believe that it uses for echolocation and the detection of prey in the dark depths of the ocean.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Pilot whales, Sperm whales