23.09.2023 – Diverse ways to live together

Marine mammals can be found in different social systems. Some, like the Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) we encountered today, prefer to live in a hierarchy. For others, such as the Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), a clear, unbreakable rule applies: women power. Other species of marine mammals that live in a matriarchy include Orcas, False orcas and Sperm whales. Animals with this social structure have an intense, close group cohesion. Pilot whales, for example, stay together throughout their lives. However, there are also so-called solitaires. These are animals that travel alone without the group association. This is often seen in Bottlenose dolphins, and sometimes in Belugas. Baleen whales, on the other hand, also tend to be solitary. Sometimes they form small groups for short periods of time. So there are very diverse possibilities for living together. Everyone, as they like it best.

Protect Pilot whales and Bottlenose dolphins: https://www.lobosonda.com/whale-watching/marine-protection/

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:30 Pilot whales

13:30 Bottlenose dolphins, Pilot whales

Stenella

09:30 Pilot whales

14:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Pilot whales

17:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Pilot whales