21 July 2014

Imperial blackfish and loggerhead sea turtle (the odd couple)



Juvenile imperial blackfish Schedophilus ovalis find shelter under jellyfish and other floating objects adrift (also see THIS POST). This individual chose... a juvenile loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta

While the fish has grown larger than the turtle, who can no longer provide an appropriate shelter, the two seemed unseparable. A group of striped dolphins encountered them and a dolphin kicked the turtle with its flukes. However, the imperial blackfish would not run away, always staying in the turtle's shade.

The odd couple kindly let us approach for a minute and film them with a pole-mounted camera. We hope that nobody will take advantage of their confident behaviour, or break their bond.

(Screenshot from video by S. Bonizzoni)

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