Dolphins and Whales of Andalucía
The Bay and Straits of Gibraltar have a large population of Whales and Dolphins, which marine biologists would refer to as 'Cetacea'. Cetaceans can be divided into two main orders: Mysticeti and Odontoceti. The Mysticeti are the family of whales that we all think of as being the largest, as indeed they are, in some cases growing to 120ft long and weighing up to 190 tons - particularly impressive when you consider that a Boeing B747 airliner weighs 150 tons! -. By definition this includes the Whale, Dolphin, Porpoise, Grampus and the Manatee, but excludes such animals as the Seal and Walrus who have come on to land to give birth.
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.
These are the ones that have been known to man for thousands of years. The Straits of Gibraltar are one of the great natural land bridges of the world and well-known for the biannual migration of bird life. What is generally not so realised, is that there is also a continual passage of 'cetaceans' also passing between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
It is only in comparatively recent geological times that all this marine movement has become possible. Twelve million years ago, Africa slowly bumped into Spain and a low mountain ridge was formed between Tangier and Tarifa. The Mediterranean became a vast lake eventually drying up, leaving vast deposits of salt behind. Six million years later, Africa started to retreat from Europe and a breach was created in the mountain dam previously formed.
The largest waterfall the world has ever known was created. For a hundred years, the Atlantic thundered over a 3000 ft drop, yet again filling the Mediterranean basin, thus allowing the reintroduction of marine life into this area.
Because the Straits are only 13 miles wide at their narrowest point, the concentration of cetaceans is very high, especially so towards the middle. It is about 3 miles offshore that you find the larger examples, 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 stemming 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 Bay of Gibraltar, Common and Striped dolphins are always present and several companies run 'dolphin spotting' boat trips throughout the year.
- firmm - A unique opportunity to meet these gentle giants and their smaller co-species in their natural environment, with the foundation for information and research on marine mammals.
