Rare 'super pod' of over 1,500 Risso's dolphins spotted off California coast

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according to Fox News From a 20-foot inflatable boat, Brodsky and his small team watched in awe as the dolphins leaped out of the bay, catching quick glimpses of them as they jumped through the air.

according to CBS News "We saw literally white dots from all the Risso's dolphins, everywhere just about. So, we drastically underestimated the number of dolphins at first," Talty said in an interview, as reported by The Travel.

As they watched the dolphins, Brodsky recorded footage with a drone, showcasing the full scale of the gathering. "As soon as we launched the drone, I was completely amazed," the captain said. "I kept saying, 'Take a look at my screen. Look at my screen. See how many there are,'" he said to CBS News.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Risso's dolphins, scientifically known as Grampus griseus, usually swim in groups ranging from 10 to 30 individuals. The formation of a large group, often called a "super pod," is quite a rare occurrence. Risso's dolphins are characterized by their sturdy bodies and round heads, can weigh up to 1,100 pounds (approximately 499 kilograms), and grow as long as 13 feet (about 4 meters), as reported by CBS News.

The large mix of adult and juvenile dolphins was likely due to several pods joining together and swimming south. Talty said that the area's underwater submarine canyon probably means the dolphins swim much closer to the shore than they do along other parts of the California coast. "The Monterey coastline's unique location, including its underwater submarine canyon that reaches depths of almost 492 feet, causes dolphins to venture closer to the shoreline and favor extremely deep water," she said, according to The Guardian.

According to Fox News, some dolphins were swimming ahead of the boat and were using the waves to propel themselves forward, a method called bow riding. Talty recalled standing at the front of the vessel and gazing down to notice several dolphins rolling onto their sides and directly staring back at her.

"As the dolphins went on interacting with our boat, we kept driving straight ahead, being mindful not to disrupt them and making sure to give them plenty of space," Brodsky said to the Associated Press. "You definitely don't want to make any aggressive movements that could hurt an animal. In fact, that's the last thing you'd want to do. So we were careful to cruise alongside them. It was an incredible experience," he concluded.

Scientists have found that adult male Risso's dolphins often form close relationships with each other, sticking together in smaller groups within larger pods, and showing loyalty and affection towards one another. They can be recognized by the distinctive white scars and marks on their bodies, and they thrive in areas near the continental shelves, where they can hunt for food at depths of around 600 meters. Risso's dolphins rely on clicks and whistles to communicate with each other and locate their prey.

She pointed out it's not the first occurrence of such a big group, but it's not something you see all the time," she said, as reported by The Guardian. Recalling the experience, Brodsky said, "It blows my mind every time. It never becomes old." He also said, "This was a very memorable encounter that I will not forget for a long time.

Monterey Bay Whale Watch has documented footage of marine mammals before; for example, in 2015, members of the group recorded a rare sighting of a pure white albino dolphin in the bay, as noted by CBS News. Additionally, in 2023, the organization released a video of orcas hunting sea lions off the California coast, capturing a rare sight.

This article was written in collaboration with AI generation company Alchemiq