Even More Caribbean Animals

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     There's an irresistible allure about the ocean. It's big, it's powerful, and it contains some of the most incredible and diverse species of life on Planet Earth. For many, the only chance one gets to see some of these species is in an aquarium or zoo; while it's a great educational tool, it's nothing compared to seeing them in the wild. If you're on a Caribbean vacation, here are some whales and dolphins that are worth a day excursion.

A relatively recent taxonomical discovery is the Helmet dolphin, which is also known as the the Clymene dolphin. This may be largely because it is very similar in appearance to the Spinner dolphin, and the two sometimes travel together in the ocean. Virtually the only differences between the two is the Clymene's shorter beak, and most individuals have a black mustache-shaped mark on the top of their snout. Thus, it wasn't until 1981 that the Clymene was distinguished from its relative. This stocky medium-sized mammal is endemic to the Atlantic ocean; the warm waters between Western Africa and North America are preferred by it. There have been multiple sightings of Clymenes in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, but relatively little is known about them so far.

The common minke whale is a member of the rorqual taxonomic family. This group is a type of baleen whale, and includes the largest living animal, the blue whale; incredibly the smallest rorqual, the common minke, still weights almost 10 tons. They range in length from 23 to 32 feet, and have a dark grey back with white coloring on their stomachs. It's common for the subspecies to be found during whale-watching expeditions in the Atlantic ocean, and it can be found in the Pacific ocean as well. They are inquisitive, curious creatures who delight in reciprocal 'human-watching' when tourist boats come to call - on any Caribbean ocean trip, they are a delight to behold.

The Blainville's beaked whale is another species found in lots of places, but it is particularly well-documented off the coast of the Bahamas and around the Caribbean; it's one of the best spots to capture a glimpse of this curious mesoplodont. The Blainville's beaked whale is robust and stocky; males grow to be almost 15 feet long and 1800 pounds, whereas the larger females can regularly weigh in at 2200 pounds. The males possess a very distinctive head, making them quite easy to identify: they have two horn-like teeth that protrude from the lower jaw, and are encrusted with barnacles. Their foreheads are quite flat, with the lower jaw arching up to meet the upper. Males are also usually covered in the distinctive round bites left by cookie-cutter sharks, which eventually scar over.

If you've ever wondered what prompted the push for 'dolphin-friendly' commercial fishing regulations, look no further than the pantropical spotted dolphin. This creature, named for its distinctive markings, has a propensity for swimming alongside yellowfin tuna fish. Over half of the world's total population have been wiped out since the 1980s, when large purse seine nets came into widespread use. However, thanks to new regulations and the scandal receiving worldwide public attention, the population of pantropical spotted dolphins has bounced back marvelously. These dolphins are very active and theatrical; they will ride alongside the bows of boats and breach in huge, splashy leaps.