Length: 2 to 4 m.
Weight: from 200 to 500 Kg.
Prey species: fish, bivalves, shrimp and squid.
Odontocete dolphinids of grey colour frequently hold in dolphinaria. They can reach speeds of approximately 20 mph, they also are very adaptive and intelligent .Their language is based on a large range of whistles. They travel in small groups of ten individuals.
COMMON DOLPHIN (delphinus delphis)
Length: from 1,5 to 2,5 m.
Weight: up to 100 Kg.
Prey species: small fishes.
This specie occupies the place of honour of the delphinids. They travel in very large groups where it is difficult to distinguish between females and males. They mate during the end of spring and the beginning of the summer
STRIPED DOLPHIN (stenella coeruleoalba)
Length: 1,5 to 2,5 metres.
Weight: up to 120 Kg.
Prey species: small fishes and molluscs.
Similar to the common dolphin, they present a line on the lateral part of their body with the shape of a V. This dolphin can reach high speeds up to 30 mph. They are very common in the Mediterranean Sea.
LONG-FINNED PILOT WHALE (globicephala melas)
Length: up to 6 metres.
Weight: 3 tons.
Prey species: cephalopods and fish.
They are distributed in all the temperate and warm waters of the world. It can easily be distinguished from the other species by the rounded form and the large size of its head. They have a matrilineal social structure.
SPERM WHALE (Physeter macrocephalus)
Length: from 7-13 m. for females to 14-18 m. for males.
Weight: 25/35 Tons.
Prey species: cephalópods and elasmobranchs fish(rays, sharks,etc..)
Despite its appearance it belongs to the group of the odontocetes being its largest representative. They can frequently be found in the Strait during spring.
ORCA (ORCINUS ORCA)
Length: 6 to 10 m. males being larger than females.
Weight:from 4 to 8 m.
Prey species: large fish (tuna, herring,salmon...), others dolphinids, pinnipeds ,etc...
It is a marine superpredator. They are the most cosmopolitan cetacean species. They hunt in groups of several individuals. Their breeding seasons are during the winter and their gestation is 12 months long. They come to the Strait looking for big tuna.
FIN WHALE (Balaenoptera physalus)
Length: 18 to 22 mts.
Weight: 40/60 tons.
Prey species: crustaceans, fish, cephalopods and plankton.
Misticete cetacean (no teeth) from the same family as the blue whale, it can be found in all seas. The blow can be observed from a great distance. They tend to pass the Strait individually or in small groups. When feeling treatened, they do long immersions.
Photo gallery and Video Photos and videos of sightings of whales in the Strait of Gibraltar, Bahia de Algeciras, beach of Los Lances Tarifa, Costa de La Luz
Links of interest related to Tarifa, the whale watching and collaborations.
News Last news of Turmares on sightings made studies and special excursions directed to children and the learning and knowledge of the sea wildlife and the protection of the nature through direct bonding with the environmental surroundings.
BEHAVIOUR CODE
Do not feed the animals,do not throw anything to the sea.
Do not shout nor touch the animals
We will approach the animals with caution and respect without disturbing them.
We ask parents/tutors/teachers to continously look after the children under their liability.
Please use camera without flash.
As soon as we notice any behavioural sign of disturbance we will leave the area where the animals are.
PLEASE DO ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE CREW AND OF THE INSTRUCTORS
