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Dorsal Identification
In order for us to understand dolphin
behavior it is essential to be able to recognize individual dolphins.
The easiest way to identify a dolphin is by its uniquely individual dorsal
fin. Over the years, we have given names to over 100 dolphins in
our area. If you look closely you can see that each fin is different.
Throughout their lives, dolphins acquire various scars and markings that
make each fin unique. This is the most reliable method for identifying
individual dolphins.
Many of the dolphins we know and identify have grown up around us and
our boat, the 'Patty C.' Dorsal identification has helped us keep a record
of the relationships and family origins of the dolphins for the past 17
years. See our 'Local Pod Updates' for the
latest news on the dolphins.
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Hatchet Fin
Sex: Male
Age: 27+
History: We have been seeing
Hatchet on a regular basis since 1986. The female dolphins seem
to really love him as he has a very sweet side to him and is very
gentle and loving to the babies. Hatchet's pair-bond partner is
Beta.
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Long Tall
Sex: Female
Age: 20+
History: Long Tall exudes love
and sweetness. She is extremely nurturing, and had her first calf,
Pumpkin in 1999. We see Long Tall and Pumpkin so regularly they
feel like family to us.
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Spur
Sex: Male
Age: 17+
History: Spur is a powerful
and intense dolphin. If he is catching snapper somewhere, he just
may stay there all day and fish. He is also that way with the female
dolphins; we have seen him mating for days at a time. Spur is almost
always seen with his pair-bond partner, Spirit.
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Flint
Sex: Male
Age: 10 years in 2003, born
in August 1993
History: Flint's mother is
Leah. We used to call him Gash when he was younger because of a
large wound on his melon. Flint can usually be found in near-shore
waters surfing along with various boats and hanging out with Jake
and Rachel. He also frequently heads out to deeper water to visit
with Leah and his possible father, Hatchet Fin. Can't you see the
resemblance?
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Grandma (seen with distinct
humped back and small truncate fin)
Sex: Female
Age: unknown, we called her
Grandma back in '86 because she already had an aged appearance to
her.
History: Grandma shows up at
the most uncanny times. She has shown up for every one of Grandy's
births and is often part of the maternity circles. We see her only
a few times a year, but when we do she is often seen with Spur and
Spirit by her side. She is definitely part of the family.
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Dolphin
Watch - Key West's Original Dolphin Tour
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For Private Charters please call 866 436 5744 - email:
info@dolphinwatch.org
Copyright © 2000-2004
Dolphin Watch, Inc. All rights reserved.
Photographs not to be used without permission. Photos: Capt. Alma Armendariz
& J. Baltzell - not to be used without permission.
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