A remarkable sighting of a dolphin leaping high into the air has earned it the nickname “Michael Jordan” of marine mammals among nature enthusiasts.
A stunning image shared on the Pacific Whale Foundation’s Instagram captured a pantropical spotted dolphin in mid-flight. The Foundation’s research team spotted the dolphin off the coast of Maui on March 4.
“This is not AI,” the caption read, introducing this remarkable creature as “Air Dolphin,” noted to have made an impressive leap of around 15 feet.
These pantropical spotted dolphins typically measure around 6 to 7 feet in length and can weigh nearly 250 pounds. Interestingly, if humans could achieve similar feats in proportion to their size, it would be comparable to jumping over a basketball hoop.
Streamlined and sleek, pantropical dolphins possess short beaks, small tails, and are the only dolphin species in the North Pacific lacking a dorsal fin.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these dolphins inhabit cold to temperate waters, stretching from northern Baja California to the Gulf of Alaska, and are known for their agility, capable of leaping over 6 feet above the surface.
Moreover, they are proficient swimmers, averaging around 16 miles per hour, and can reach speeds up to 35 miles per hour in short bursts.
Social creatures, these dolphins often interact with various species such as pilot whales and spinner dolphins. They generally thrive in tropical and subtropical environments, with scientists estimating a population of about 68,000 northern right whale dolphins spread throughout the North Pacific.
