Physeter macrocephalus

Physeter macrocephalus
Kim

The largest-toothed whale. The Mediterranean population is thought to include fewer than 2,500 mature individuals that face numerous threats and are in decline. They are known to inhabit offshore and continental-slope waters, foraging almost exclusively on squids. There have been Anecdotal reports of sperm whales to the north of the Israeli EEZ on social media, but their distribution is still unknown in our region. Deep sea acoustic surveys started in…

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Delphinus delphis

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54

The common dolphin population inhabits the southern region of the coastline. They are mainly observed in the coastal waters off Ashdod and Ashkelon, at water depths of 15-30 meters. Data collection started in 2016 when the group included up to 37 mature individuals, though since 2020 only the same 15 adults have been observed. Overall, 64 individuals have been documented. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species the…

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Tursiops truncatus

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Duke

The bottlenose dolphin population inhabits the entire coastline, mainly observed between bottom depths of 30-60 meters. Since 2005, when data collection began, 396 individuals have been documented. The local population's body size is relatively small, and their diet is mainly composed of fish. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species the Mediterranean population is listed as “least concern.” Tursiops truncatus Adi First seen: 2000, Last seen: 2016, area:…

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