07.07.2018 – Peeling

On our Stenella tour we observed a large group of Atlantic Spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis). The animals were really in a good mood to accompany us. These type of dolphin loves speed, then they are in their element.

Again and again we admire on our tours, how elegant and effortless dolphins glide through the sea. But why is that?The permanent regeneration through the rejection of the outer skin cells (about every two hours) and the vortex damping through the plasticity of the dolphins ensures a low flow resistance and a fast progress.

For us humans things look a bit different. Although we daily reject up to 14gr old skin cells a complete renewal of the epidermis takes 26-28 days to complete … BUT we do not have to swim so fast 😉 However, this is a good example of how nature adjusts to the different living conditions.

The spotter then took us to a school of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). We were able to watch the animals socializing and enjoy great jumps. A nice day on the sea!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Common dolphins, Atlantic Spotted dolphins

Stenella

15:30 Atlantic Spotted dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins