A group of Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeureoalba) porpoising in the waves close to Terra Azul boat. A calf is visible on the right.
Also today we paid our visit to a large aggregation of Common Dolphins (Delphinus delphis) spanning from the shores of Ponta Garca to the Far East of Sao Miguel Island.
Unexpectedly, the Northeasterly wind gave us a break and we had the chance to venture further offshore where we encountered a pod of Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeureoalba). Dolphins were probably pursuing some preys and gave us a good idea of their speed and unpredictable movements. Striped Dolphins occasionally approach shores but are more frequent in deep oceanic waters where they live in large aggregations up to hundred individual strong. They feed on small schooling fish and squids and they can dive up to 700 meters while hunting their preys. Today we found them associated with Common Dolphins. The two species are genetically close and share similar size (~2.5 meters).
Source: Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals IIIrd Ed. Bernd Würsig, I. G. M. Thewissen & KIT M. Kovacs Editors.
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