A team of wildlife experts with the Pacific Whale Foundation snapped a photo of a breaching dolphin flying 15 feet into the air off Maui’s west shore on March 4.
According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, larger species of dolphin can leap more than 20 feet over the surface of the water. The dolphin seen in this photo is a pantropical spotted dolphin — a smaller species that typically grows 6 to 7 feet long and weighs approximately 250 pounds when fully grown.
Despite the dolphin’s smaller frame, the animal was still able to catch some big air, leading the Pacific Whale Foundation to dub the animal “the Michael Jordan of dolphins.”
“This is not AI,” the Pacific Whale Foundation wrote on social media. “Introducing the Micheal Jordan of Dolphins.”
In comparison, the jump is equivalent to a human leaping over a basketball hoop, the foundation said.
Pantropical spotted dolphins are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. The species is energetic, very social and is often seen traveling with other species like rough-toothed dolphins, short-finned pilot whales and spinner dolphins.
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