Sports
VIDEO: 'Patches' the Albino Dolphin Makes Rare Appearance in Dana Point
The Bottlenose mammal seen on Thursday is a "piebald" or partially albino, says Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching, General Manager, Donna Kalez.
OK, besides having a great name, check out this bottlenose dolphin known as "Patches" recently spotted by the crew of Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching in Dana Point.
According to Donna Kalez, general manager: "We have seen him for years he travels back and forth all over the coast as far north as Monterrey and as far south as San Diego. We haven't seen him around here since February, but he was back on Thursday."
Patches is called "piebald" or partially albino, and yes, it appears he loses pigmentation on areas where he gets "raked" by the other dolphins.
Find out what's happening in Laguna Niguel-Dana Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
These scratches are very common, as it is a part of natural social interaction among dolphins; they're just more obvious on Patches and he is the only one they have seen like this, she said.
"It's very rare to see him and people love it!" Kalez said.
Find out what's happening in Laguna Niguel-Dana Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Maybe he'd like to be our mascot.
Fast Facts: Bottlenose Dolphins
(Source: NationalGeographic.com)