Dolphins & Whales
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                      Dolphins and Whales of Andalucía

                             [Sperm_Whale-1.jpg]

     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.

     [Pilot_Whale-2.jpg]
     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.

                           [Striped_Dolphin_1.jpg]

     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.

                           [Striped_Dolphin_2.jpg]
     * [1]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.
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References

   1. http://www.firmm.org/
   2. file:///var/lib/mailman/archives/private/cypherpunks-legacy/attachments/20000917/home.htm