Hundreds Of Dolphins Dash Past California Coast In Magical Video Of 'Superpod'

A beautiful new video shows hundreds of dolphins in a group known as a superpod dashing along the coast near Monterey, California.

A superpod occurs when several dolphin pods meaning smaller social groups of dolphins that live and travel together join up into a much larger group to chase food together, Monterey Bay Aquarium social media content creator Patrick Webster told NPR . He estimated this superpod may have included more than a thousand dolphins.

The aquarium posted a mesmerizing video, featuring the dolphins moving in and out of the water set to music, to Twitter on Wednesday. (The Monterey Bay Aquarium does not keep dolphins in captivity.)

There are few things more magical in this world than hundreds of dolphins racing through the wild Monterey Bay on a foggy fall morning pic.twitter.com/qag7C9W6Ag

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There are few things more magical in this world than hundreds of dolphins racing through the wild Monterey Bay on a foggy fall morning pic.twitter.com/qag7C9W6Ag
Monterey Bay Aquarium (@MontereyAq) September 5, 2018

There are few things more magical in this world than hundreds of dolphins racing through the wild Monterey Bay on a foggy fall morning, the aquariums caption read.

The aquarium identified the marine mammals as short-beaked common dolphins and noted that the video had been slowed down to show the dolphins moving at half-speed.

For the last week, a superpod of common dolphins hundreds strong has been racing the Monterey Bay, hot on the tails of billions of baitfish. This video was filmed on Labor Day just off of Point Pinos in Pacific Grove, and is being played back at half speed. pic.twitter.com/0FugXifdSH

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For the last week, a superpod of common dolphins hundreds strong has been racing the Monterey Bay, hot on the tails of billions of baitfish. This video was filmed on Labor Day just off of Point Pinos in Pacific Grove, and is being played back at half speed. pic.twitter.com/0FugXifdSH
Monterey Bay Aquarium (@MontereyAq) September 5, 2018

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While its not unusual for dolphins to band together in superpods, its rare that people can see these formations so close to shore.

It was one of the most amazing experiences to see the water be alive with squeaking and splashing dolphins, Webster told the Los Angeles Times . Theyll hop up and take a look at you, and you can see theyre checking you out.

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