07.08.2025 – Modern Ichthyosauria

Today we saw the dolphins species which closest resembles an Ichthyosaur, the so called Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis). This dolphin species looks reptile like due to its conical head. They visit Madeira during the summer months coming in small groups of usually 10-20 animals. They show a special behaviour which is the synchronised parallel swimming. It is still for scientists a mystery why they do it, but I have to admit, that it looks beautiful.

Apart from that dolphins species, we saw two other cetaceans. First some Blainville’s beaked whales (Mesolpodon densirostris) and later some Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Both are regularly seen around Madeira, the Bottlenose dolphin being more frequent.

By Horst Schulte

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

09:00 Rough-toothed dolphin, Blainville’s beaked whale

13:00 Rough-toothed dolphin, Bottlenose dolphin

16:30 Rough-toothed dolphin, Bottlenose dolphin

Stenella

09:30 Rough-toothed dolphin, Blainville’s beaked whale, Bottlenose dolphin

13:30 Rough-toothed dolphin, Blainville’s beaked whale, Bottlenose dolphin

16:30 Rough-toothed dolphin, Bottlenose dolphin