This week was filled with sperm whales. Today as well: we spotted another sperm whale outside Jardim do Mar. A guest asked me about their communication: can they really communicate with each other from miles away? Yes they can! Not only that, they can also recognise each other’s voices, and each sperm whale has its own name. Sperm whales stay in touch through a variety of sounds and clicks. When they dive down, they will generate a hugely powerful click by reverberating sounds back and forth several times in the nose. Individuals of a pod can recognise each other by the breaks between these click blasts. For example, a conversation normally starts with a five-click code. Every individual makes this code a little bit different. This acoustic signature makes it possible to identify the whale using these individualized rhythmic clicking sequences.
For our guests going out this afternoon in the rain, we want to give a BIG thumbs up! Your enthusiasm to go out despite the bad weather and waves to find whales and dolphin was inspiring!
by Judith Kok
Todays sightings:
Stenella:
10.00: Pilot Whales
12.00: Sperm Whale, Pilot Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins
15.00: No sightings
Ribeira Brava:
10.00: Pilot Whales