Heavisides Dolphins
Heaviside’s dolphins only occur on the West Coast of Southern Africa and inhabit a narrow ecological zone in the upwelling system of the Benguela current.
This upwelling system is created when strong Southerly winds blow warm surface water offshore allowing cold nutrient rich water to rise and take its place.
Heaviside’s Dolphins are small reaching 1.5 meters as adults. They have a triangular fin and a short beak ‘ snout ‘ and striking white markings on the belly and up onto their sides. They are social and will interact with boats when not hunting.
In Lamberts bay these dolphins are seen all year round, they are resident in the bay and we have a 90% success seeing them on the boat trip. Mornings are better for viewing the dolphin as the wind tends to blow in the afternoon and the dolphins move offshore to fish.
There are no Porpoises in Southern African waters they belong to a family of small beakless whales with spade shaped teeth Dolphins have sharp conical teeth
Dolphins navigate using ultra sound producing a high pitch sound that bounce back from obstacles ahead allowing them to accurately locate prey.
Dolphins have large brains second only to humans and they can perform complex tasks and tricks, they have a complex social structure and will support and rescue animals in distress.There is however no evidence that they are more intelligent than other social animals like chimpanzees.
Heaviside’s dolphins only occur on the West Coast of Southern Africa and inhabit a narrow ecological zone in the upwelling system of the Benguela current.
This upwelling system is created when strong Southerly winds blow warm surface water offshore allowing cold nutrient rich water to rise and take its place.
Heaviside’s Dolphins are small reaching 1.5 meters as adults. They have a triangular fin and a short beak ‘ snout ‘ and striking white markings on the belly and up onto their sides. They are social and will interact with boats when not hunting.
In Lamberts bay these dolphins are seen all year round, they are resident in the bay and we have a 90% success seeing them on the boat trip. Mornings are better for viewing the dolphin as the wind tends to blow in the afternoon and the dolphins move offshore to fish.
There are no Porpoises in Southern African waters they belong to a family of small beakless whales with spade shaped teeth Dolphins have sharp conical teeth
Dolphins navigate using ultra sound producing a high pitch sound that bounce back from obstacles ahead allowing them to accurately locate prey.
Dolphins have large brains second only to humans and they can perform complex tasks and tricks, they have a complex social structure and will support and rescue animals in distress.There is however no evidence that they are more intelligent than other social animals like chimpanzees.
