bottlenose dolphins on cape cod??

Question

So I hear that there are bottlenose dolphins on cape cod, mass. Is it true?? If so when and where is the best places and times of the year to see them?? Thanks so much in advance!

Answer 1

Bottlenose dolphins can inhabit the waters around Cape Cod. There are actually pods of dolphins that are considered coastal stock. They are the ones that are visible from the beaches. There are pods that live out in the open ocean and never come within sight of land. The coastal stock actually migrate every year, with each pod having thier own home ranges. In general, bottlenose dolphins can be found from Maine to Florida in the US. They also can be found farther north and south. They tend to migrate north in the summer months, following the warmer water currents. Start looking in June when the water starts to warm, but you may see them year round. Some areas have resident pods that do not migrate at all. Anywhere there is a lot of baitfish is a good place to start looking too. There will tend to be a lot of seabirds when those fish are near the surface as well, so use that as a starting point. Most sightings of the dolphins will only be of the fins and their blowholes as they are moving. It is very quick and can be a little difficult to track. Bottlenose dolphins do leap out of the water and are capable of some very impressive acrobatics, but that is not the norm. However, it's really exciting to see those behaviors in the wild. If you are going out on boats, they have been known to bowride ("surf" on the waves created by the bow of the boat). If you do go out on boats, please remember that it is actually illegal to harass any marine mammal and is best to leave at least 200ft between you and the animals. If they come up to investigate you, that is fine, just no chasing them down. If they come up to the boat, it is best to cut the engines for safety and just watch. If you are looking from shore, pick a spot out in the ocean and just watch. Get used to the waves and patterns of the currents/waves. Scan back and forth, gradually widening the area that you are watching. You will be amazed at how much more you notice by just waiting. (This can apply to other species too.)

Good luck and happy hunting!

Answer 2

I have heard of sightings, i imagine more often than not around the Woods hollow area, and per chance in case you took a Whale Watch excursion or some thing you may also see them, yet I were there for years and under no circumstances considered them myself.

Answer 3

They are seen mostly in the wake of the boats in the summertime. I live on Cape Cod and i have seen them, they're not uncommon but I haven't seen many. We're more famous for our scallops and or whales. :)