A dolphin’s gravity-defying jump was caught on camera, with researchers dubbing it the “Michael Jordan” of the sea. The incredible photos were captured by researchers with the Pacific Whale Foundation in Wailuku, Hawaii.Above video: Why understanding our underwater best friends, the dolphin, is so importantThe photos show a pantropical spotted dolphin jumping an estimated 15 feet in the air. “To put that into perspective, pantropical spotted dolphins grow to about 6–7 feet long and weigh around 250 pounds. If a human could match this feat relative to their body size, it would be like jumping clear over a basketball hoop,” officials with the Pacific Whale Foundation wrote on Instagram. Jumps like this aren’t unusual for the species, researchers say. What makes this moment remarkable is the photograph itself, which captures the dolphin at the very peak of its leap — a rarely seen perspective that’s captivating viewers around the world.Pantropical spotted dolphins live in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Highly social and energetic, they’re often seen traveling alongside other species, including rough-toothed dolphins, short-finned pilot whales and spinner dolphins.
WAILUKU, Hawaii —
A dolphin’s gravity-defying jump was caught on camera, with researchers dubbing it the “Michael Jordan” of the sea.
The incredible photos were captured by researchers with the Pacific Whale Foundation in Wailuku, Hawaii.
Above video: Why understanding our underwater best friends, the dolphin, is so important
The photos show a pantropical spotted dolphin jumping an estimated 15 feet in the air.
“To put that into perspective, pantropical spotted dolphins grow to about 6–7 feet long and weigh around 250 pounds. If a human could match this feat relative to their body size, it would be like jumping clear over a basketball hoop,” officials with the Pacific Whale Foundation wrote on Instagram.
Pacific Whale Foundation’s Research Department
Introducing the Micheal Jordan of Dolphins, Air Dolphin estimated jump 15 ft in the air. This incredible shot was captured by the research team at the Pacific Whale Foundation.
Jumps like this aren’t unusual for the species, researchers say.
What makes this moment remarkable is the photograph itself, which captures the dolphin at the very peak of its leap — a rarely seen perspective that’s captivating viewers around the world.
Pantropical spotted dolphins live in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Highly social and energetic, they’re often seen traveling alongside other species, including rough-toothed dolphins, short-finned pilot whales and spinner dolphins.