From the 29th of May to the 7th of June we sighted 7 different species of Cetaceans!
One Species of Baleen Whales: Fin Whales;
One Species of Toothed Whales: Sperm Whales;
Five Species of Dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins , Striped Dolphins and Pilot Whales.
It’s June! Summer is getting here, slowly but surely. Although it also means that the Baleen Whale Season is coming to an end.
Fin Whales/Balaenoptera physalus – Tour on 31st of May 2015
Like we mentioned before in previous posts and reports, the Baleen Whales pass here in the Azores between March and the beginning of June. Last year we sighted Baleen Whales until the end of June, which is not “normal”. The usual is until de beginning and mid June. But this is a dynamic ecosystem that can be different in from year to year.
So it’s time to start saying Goodbye to the Baleen Whales, well not a Goodbye just a See You Next Season!!
Fin Whale/Balaenoptera physalus – Tour on 31st of May 2015
At this time the Pilot Whales are around too. There are two different species of Pilot Whales: Short – Finned and Long – Finned. It is virtually impossible to tell them apart from each other while we are Whale Watching.
However, there are subtle differences between them: the length of their pectoral fins, number of teeth and the shape of the skull.
To confirm the species we need to be able to see the pectoral fins, which is their main difference. Because here in the Azores it is more common to occur the Short Finned Pilot Whale, we are going to assume that these were the ones we spotted.
Pilot Whales
Short – Finned Pilot Whale can occur in the Azores during the entire year but most commonly we start to spot them in between May and October.
They can reach in between 3,5 to 6 metersThey are born with more or less 1,5 meters.
Their skin is jet black or dark gray; the head is rounded and bulbous; the dorsal fin is set forward in their body and it sweeps backward.
And now for the special moment of the week…
A breaching Sperm Whale!
Sperm Whale/ Physeter macrocephalus by Marylou Feat
Why do Sperm Whales breach?
The can breach for a few reasons: could be a way to comunicate with other whales of the group; to get rid of parasites on their skin or just for fun and playing!
What a week…
Stay tunned for more updates!
