04.09.2019 – Dynamic dash

Toothed whales are pretty much always on the move and may be travelling for a number of reasons. Often the pace is determined by the leading animals, and the role of the leading animal is a dynamic one, changing according to the given situation. 

The large group of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) that we encountered on this mornings snorkeling tour, for instance, was moving according to the pace of the nursery group, which was heading the travels. The group was adjusting its speed to the calves at the head of the group, but a few subgroup members took the liberty of approaching our guests keenly in the water. The dispersed pod of Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) we encountered before the spotted dolphins this morning, was also on the move, knifing the waters surface as they darted southeast.

For our afternoon trip, our spotter had already informed us about a large group of animals, that were once again heading east. At the rear, an enormous group of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) was gaining on a small pod of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), that were practically sandwiched between the Bottlenose and the Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) that were slightly ahead of the other two species.

We couldn’t be sure if this mass movement of animals was due to the large navy vessel patrolling the southwest waters or if it had something to do with prey availability. Perhaps the spotted and the Bottlenose were following the pilot whales to gain some hunting advantages from these large squid-hunting experts? Or maybe the Bottlenose were intimidating both other pods, driving the quick movement of the spotted and prompting the pilot whales to later rest near us in a compact formation? Of course this spectacle may have just been a coincidental get-together that just so happened to give our guests a taste of how unique each different cetacean species is in its characteristic behaviour. 

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Stenella

09:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Rough-toothed dolphins

15:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales