Sadly, we’re used to reports of decreasing marine life and the awful effects of pollution – but for once, this is a sunshine story! Conditions in the waters of San Diego have been so great lately that they’ve seen an influx in both sharks and dolphins. A local tour company, Gone Whale Watching, recently captured a breathtaking video of dolphins leaping 20 feet in the air – it’s almost as if they’re celebrating.
Scroll to the end to watch the magical display!
Viral Video of Dolphins Gaining Millions of Views
The video of these high-flying dolphins has quickly gone viral, amassing over 8 million views in just a week. The footage, which shows dolphins bursting out of the water and performing what some have likened to Olympic-style jumps, will make anyone’s jaw drop.
An Incredible Display of Aquatic Acrobatics
It was Gone Whale Watching photographer Erica Sackrison who captured the stunning display. Even though she sees dolphins almost on the daily, even she was taken by surprise when she noticed everyone on the boat pointing at the dolphins.
The dolphins appeared to be performing synchronized jumps, reminiscent of Olympic athletes. Many have probably seen dolphin put on shows in captivity, but it’s a whole different ball game when you see it in the wild and you know that they’re doing it out of their own volition.
Dolphins Reaching New Heights in San Diego Waters
In the footage, the bottlenose dolphins can be seen leaping higher than the boat’s wheelhouse, a sight that left passengers in awe. Sackrison described the experience as “awesome,” comparing the dolphins’ jumps to those of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles.
The Role of Food in Dolphin Behavior
According to Dominic Biagini, founder of Gone Whale Watching, the presence of abundant food sources likely attracted the dolphins to the area. He mentioned that anchovies and squid are common in San Diego waters, which might explain the increased number of bottlenose dolphins in the region.
Unprecedented Dolphin Activity off Mission Bay
On the day the video was taken, Sackrison and her fellow passengers encountered large pods of dolphins every few miles off the coast of Mission Bay.
Although dolphins are common in these waters, the frequency and size of these pods were highly unusual. Seeing so many dolphins in such little time confirms that there’s definitely been a significant influx of marine life in the area.
Social Media Buzz Surrounding the Dolphin Video
The video’s rapid rise to fame on social media highlights the public’s fascination with marine life. Gone Whale Watching’s Instagram page has been buzzing with comments and shares, with many viewers expressing their amazement at the dolphins’ aerial feats.
Why Do Dolphins Jump?
Dolphins are known for their playful behavior, and their jumps serve various purposes. Experts believe that these high leaps could be a way for dolphins to communicate, dislodge parasites, or simply have fun. The exact reason for the dolphins’ behavior that day remains a topic of interest.
Other Ways Dolphins Communicate
Besides their well-known clicks and whistles, dolphins also use body language and touch to communicate.
They may slap their tails on the water, leap into the air, or rub against each other to convey different messages. These physical gestures play a crucial role in social bonding and conveying emotions within the pod.
Is a Dolphin’s Intelligence Comparable to a Human’s?
Dolphins are highly intelligent animals, known for their problem-solving skills, social behaviors, and complex communication. While their intelligence is remarkable, it’s different from human intelligence. Dolphins excel in specific areas, like echolocation and social interaction, but direct comparisons to human cognitive abilities are challenging and not entirely accurate.
How Many Dolphins in a Pod?
The size of a dolphin pod can vary greatly, typically ranging from just a few individuals to over a thousand. In the case of this San Diego sighting there were many most likely due to the huge influx in snacks for them in the area.
Among all the dolphin species, though, Bottlenose dolphins often travel in the most sizable groups due to their social nature.
Conditions in San Diego Ideal for Marine Life
The waters off San Diego’s coast have been particularly favorable for marine life lately, with reports of increased sightings of both sharks and dolphins. It’s the combination of warm water temperatures and plentiful food sources has created an ideal environment for these creatures.
In today’s climate, it’s way more common to hear news of a decrease in biodiversity and marine populations, so when there are positive trends like this one, we should savor them.
As conditions continue to attract marine life to the San Diego coast, whale watchers are excited about what they might see next.
Watch the breathtaking sight here.
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