A superpod of long-beaked common dolphins stampeded in the Monterey Bay Tuesday afternoon. The awe-inspiring spectacle was captured on video by professional marine wildlife photographer Randy Straka. Watch the dolphin stampede below, or click here. Straka was aboard The Greatland ship with Princess Monterey Whale Watching when a thousand dolphins appeared, leaping above the surface and racing through the water. Scientists are still unsure exactly why pods merge into superpods, but a top theory is that the dolphins are speeding toward an abundant food source. Dolphins stay in their impressive formations by keeping an eye on the dolphins ahead and listening. Dolphins in the front produce harmonic whistles and clicks to communicate with followers in the back. Dolphins are highly social animals. They can establish strong bonds, and are also open to making new friends from other pods. For another view of a dolphin stampede, watch this drone video shot off Dana Point, Calif.

A superpod of long-beaked common dolphins stampeded in the Monterey Bay Tuesday afternoon. The awe-inspiring spectacle was captured on video by professional marine wildlife photographer Randy Straka.

Watch the dolphin stampede below, or click here.




This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Straka was aboard The Greatland ship with Princess Monterey Whale Watching when a thousand dolphins appeared, leaping above the surface and racing through the water.

Scientists are still unsure exactly why pods merge into superpods, but a top theory is that the dolphins are speeding toward an abundant food source. Dolphins stay in their impressive formations by keeping an eye on the dolphins ahead and listening. Dolphins in the front produce harmonic whistles and clicks to communicate with followers in the back.

Dolphins are highly social animals. They can establish strong bonds, and are also open to making new friends from other pods.

For another view of a dolphin stampede, watch this drone video shot off Dana Point, Calif.

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.