25.09.2020 – A wild kid

Today was whale day! Marine mammals fall into two categories: Toothed whales (Odontoceti) and Baleen whales (Mysticeti). Our guests were able to observe representatives from both categories today. During our first sighting, we saw a Tropical whale lady (Balaenoptera edeni) with her calf. Tropical whales tend to be a smaller species of baleen whale. Which, as the name makes clear, prefer warmer water regions. The calf was on a very long string, which it used extensively several times. A few times it launched a curious approach. Once it came right in front of the bow and suddenly accelerated from zero to one hundred. It was extremely impressive how quickly this young whale picked up speed. A really wild kid.

The second whale sighting of the day was a Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), the biggest of the toothed whales. Our Sperm whale moved leisurely through the sea, preparing for its dive by breathing intensely and frequently. We were allowed to see how he lifted his impressive fluke and disappeared into the depths.

Please remember, these marvels of nature are existentially important for our oceans and for us. There shit is rich in nutrients for the zooplankton, the basis of the seafood chain, and for the phytoplankton, which produces oxygen.

Please sign petitions: https://www.lobosonda.com/whale-watching/marine-protection/

by Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Tropical whales, Sperm whale

Stenella

10:00 Tropical whales, Sperm whale, Bottlenose dolphins