Whales and Dolphins The waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Andalucía are home to a large population of whales and dolphins. They are known formally as Cetaceans and can be divided into two main orders: Mysticeti and Odontoceti, Both types can be seen by joining one of the many expeditions offered by companies operating from various points along the Costa del Sol in the province of Malaga and the Costa de la Luz in the province of Cadiz and from some ports in province of Huelva as well. Mysticeti Cetaceans The mysticeti order of cetaceans are known as Baleen whales and are the largest of members of this species. These are creatures that may grow to 40 metres long and weigh up to 190 tons and this is particularly impressive when you consider that a Boeing B747 jumbo jet aircraft weighs 150 tons. Odontoceti Cetaceans The odontoceti are the group of cetaceans that include all the toothed whales, grampus, porpoise and dolphins. Most dolphins, such as the common dolphin, may be found virtually anywhere and are especially prevalent here in the Mediterranean Sea. Other types of dolphins commonly sighted off our coasts are the bottlenose dolphin and the striped dolphin. These are the ones that have been known to man for thousands of years. The Straits of Gibraltar are well-known for the biannual migration of bird life. What is generally not so well known is that there is also a continual passage of cetaceans between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. It is only in comparatively recent geological times that all this marine movement has become possible. As the theory goes, 12 million years ago the African continent slowly bumped into the European continent where is now modern day Spain and a low mountain ridge was formed between Tangier, Morocco and Tarifa in Andalucía. The Mediterranean Sea became a vast lake, eventually drying up, leaving vast deposits of salt behind. Then, again according to the geological theory, 6 million years later, Africa started to retreat from Europe and a breach was created in the mountain dam previously formed. From there it is believed that the largest waterfall the world has ever known was created and the Atlantic Ocean thundered over a 900 metre drop, yet again filled the Mediterranean basin, thus allowing the reintroduction of marine life into this area. Gibraltar is also famous for its dolphins, which can be seen on boat trips in the Straits of Gibraltar. Because this stretch of water is only 21 kilometres wide at their narrowest point, the concentration of cetaceans is very high, especially towards the middle. It is about 5 kilometres offshore where the larger creatures can be found, such as the sperm whale. For some reason most sightings show that they are heading in a westerly direction. The prevailing surface current is easterly and these animals may be just swimming against the current flow and not in fact travelling out of the Straits at that particular time. From prominent headlands, with patience and binoculars, it is possible to see the smaller cetaceans closer inshore. In the various bays formed along the Andalucian coast, common and striped dolphins are always present and several whale and dolphin spotting boat trips from these places throughout the year.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 08:59:18 +0000
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