30.08.2020 – 3 Genera

Dolphins (Delphinidae) belong to the toothed whales (Odontoceti). These small marine mammals contain around 40 species and thus belong to the largest family of toothed whales.

It is of course understandable that there are many differences. Some of these dolphins only have a few teeth, others have a great many teeth. Some prefer fish for food, others squid. The appearance, the behavior and the distribution areas are rich in facets.

On our trips today, both boats saw three different species from three different genera. Together they have family membership, they are Delphinidae. The Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), which behaved reluctantly today, belong to the genus Tursiops. There are three different species in this genus. Our Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), which were very sympathetic to us on the tour, belong as one of five species in the genus of Stenella. The energetic Short-finned Pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) are one of two species belonging to the genus Globicephala.

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Pilot whales

Stenella

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Pilot whales