19th of September to 2nd of October of 2015 Statistics Report

From the 19^th of September to the 2^nd of October we sighted 6 different species of Cetaceans! And 1 species of Sea Turtle!

One Species of Toothed Whales: Sperm Whales

Five Species of Dolphins: Bottlenose, Common, Striped, Risso’s and Atlantic Spotted Dolphins.

One Species of Turtle: Leatherback Sea Turtle.

 

This week we had a rare visitor! A beautiful and huge Leatherback Sea Turtle.

These are rare here in the Azores. They are unique as their carapace is soft and it is covered by skin. Thick and leathery skin(hence the Leatherback name…)with embedded minuscule osteoderms (bony deposits forming scales, plates or other structures on the skin). The carapace has longitudinal ridges.

Leatherback Sea Turtles can reach 3 meters and weigh between 200 to 700 kilos. Their body is higly hydrodynamic shaped as a tear and very long and powerful front flippers.

They feed mostly on jellyfish. They are one of the deepest-diving marine animals. Dives of 1,280 meters have been recorded. Life expectancy is of at least 30 years.

It is an amazing animal, no doubt. So rare to see it that everytime we see one it is a very special and unforgettable moment…

Stay tunned for the next updates on our tours!!