The marine fauna in Canary Islands It stands out for its rich biodiversity. If a few days ago the coast of The Gran Canarian palms was visited by a group of cetaceans in the waters near the port of lightnow it’s the turn of Tenerife.
A group of whales swam in Radazul watersand a Bitácora Aventura boat caught one of these specimens in this area south of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
“Today was one of those days in which our motto is truly honored: if you don’t come, you miss it. A true privilege to have been able to see a group of whales very close to the coast and a few meters from our canoes. Without a doubt, something exceptional,” said the company dedicated to maritime leisure.
Six species of whales in the Canary Islands
There are more than 80 species of cetaceans including whales, dolphins and porpoises.. In the Canary Islands you cannot enjoy the presence of all of them, but you can enjoy some of the most beautiful, such as the whale.
Up to six species of whales have been identified in island waters: Balaenoptera acutorostrata (minke whale), Balaenoptera borealis (northern whale), Balaenoptera brydei (tropical whale), Balaenoptera musculus (blue whale), Balaenoptera physalus (fin whale) and Megaptera novaengliae (hubarta).
According to NGO World Wildlife Fund (WWF), whales are true giants of the sea. “Depending on the species, its size can vary from 10 m to more than 30 meters in length and 180 tons in weight in the case of the impressive blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), the largest animal known in the history of the Earth.” In addition, “they have an elongated and hydrodynamic body, adapted to life in the sea. The forelimbs are fin-shaped, while the hind limbs have completely disappeared.” Despite living in water, “whales breathe air through their lungs. And like humans, they are warm-blooded mammals that give birth and care for their young.” On the other hand, they highlight that whales are located at the top of the marine food chain, and have a key role in the health of the marine environment. .
