Photographs by Sierra Sequeira and Austin Larner |
The Pan Tropical Spotted Dolphins are the dolphins we see most often. There are several pods who live all along the coast (whom we call the "Homeboys" or "Los Primos") and many "super pods" who live further offshore, often numbering in the thousands. What a sight! Dolphins as far as you can see, jumping, playing, feeding and swimming in our bow. You have to see it to believe it!
We have gotten to know many individuals, including No Fin (whom we see quite often), Viejo, X and others. We also see many of the Spotted Dolphins with bent or broken fins and other injuries. This is due to the commercial fishing in the area and one of the reasons we want to create a marine sanctuary here.
Pan Tropical Spotted Dolphins can vary greatly in size, shape and color, especially between the coastal and offshore groups. Newborns are born without spots and only begin to get their spots after two years. The more spotted a spotted dolphin is, the older it is. They feed on small fish, squid and crustaceans.
