‘Rare’ sea creatures spotted off South Africa, photos show. ‘Incredible surprise’

Boaters off the coast of South Africa were recently treated to a rare spectacle: a group of elusive Risso’s dolphins.

The marine mammals — which are seldom seen near land — were spotted on Sept. 3 during a tour near Cape Town, according to a Facebook post from Animal Ocean, a local wildlife tour agency.

“It’s not a species I would ever have expected to see on a coastal tour, yet much to our amazement, there they were,” the post said, adding the sighting was “an incredible surprise.”

A sizable group of the dolphins, distinguished by their ivory-colored bodies, was seen congregating within about a third of a square mile near Llandudno, a Cape Town suburb.

“Small family groups, playful juveniles, and scattered adults moved slowly through the area before gradually heading offshore,” the tour agency said.

Photos show several of the animals breaching the surface near the rocky coastline.

The sighting is considered “rare” since Risso’s dolphins are pelagic, meaning they typically live in the open ocean.

The marine creatures — named for French naturalist Antoine Risso — are found throughout tropical and temperate regions of the Earth’s oceans, particularly near continental shelves, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

With lifespans exceeding three decades, they can grow up to 13 feet in length and weigh up to 1,100 pounds.

They’re capable of diving up to 1,000 feet below the surface, where they prey on squid, per NOAA.

Not much is known about their movements, but it’s believed that the species may follow squid populations or relocate as a result of oceanographic conditions.

“Interestingly, I’ve since heard that they were spotted in the same area yesterday, and again by someone else back in July,” Animal Ocean said. “That means this is at least their third appearance along the Cape Town coast in recent months.”