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REFERENCE

NOAA Technical Report NMFS CIRC-396

-<^i

^Utes o^

ales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of
the Western North Atlantic

A Guide to Their Identification

STEPHEN LEATHERWOOD, DAVID K. CALDWELL,
and HOWARD E. WINN

with special assistance by

William E. Schevill and Melba C. Caldwell

SEATTLE, WA
AUGUST 1976

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND / National Marine

ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION / Fisheries Service

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Information Division, Environmental Science Information Center, NOAA, Washington, D.C. 20235. Recent Circulars are;

315. Synopsis of biological data on the chum salmon. Oncorhynchus keta

(Walbaum) 1792. By Richard G. Bakkala. March 1970. iii + 89 p., 15 figs., 51

tables,

319. Bureau ot Commercial Fisheries Great Lakes Fishery Laboratory, Ann

Arbor. Michigan. By Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. March 1970. 8 p.. 7 figs,

330. EASTROPAC Atlas; Vols. 17. CaUlog No. I 49.4:330/(vol.) 11 vols.
Available from the Superintendent of Documents. U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC. 20402.

331. Guidelines for the processing of hot smoked chub. By H. L. Seagran, J.
T. Graikoski. and J. A. Emerson. January 1970. iv + 23 p.. 8 figs., 2 tables.

332. Pacific hake. (12 articles by 20 authors.) March 1970. iii + 152 p.. 72
figs.. 47 tables.

333. Recommended practices for vessel sanitation and fish handling. By
Edgar W. Bowman and Alfred Larsen. March 1970, iv + 27 p.. 6 figs.

335. Progress report of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Center for
Estuarine and Menhaden Research. Pesticide Field Station. Gulf Breeze, Fla..
fiscal year 1%9. By the Laboratory staff. August 1970, iii + 33 p., 29 figs..
12 tables.

336. The northern fur seal. By Ralph C. Baker. Ford Wilke. and C. Howard
Baltzo. April 1970, iu + 19 p., 13 figs,

.337. Program of Division of Economic Research, Bureau of Commercial
Fisheries, fiscal year 1969. By Division of Economic Research. April 1970. iii
+ 29 p.. 12 figs.. 7 Ubies.

338. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Biological Laboratory, Auke Bay,
Alaska. By Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, June 1970, 8 p.. 6 figs.

339. Salmon research at Ice Harbor Dam. By Wesley J. Ebel. April 1970. 6
p.. 4 figs.

340. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Technological Laboratory. Gloucester.
Massachusetts. By Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. June 1970. 8 p., 8 figs.

341. Report of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Biological Laboratory,
Beaufort, N.C.. for the fiscal year ending June .30, 1968. By the Laboratory
suff. August 1970. iii + 24 p.. 11 figs.. 16 tables.

342. Report of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Biological Laboratory,
St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, fiscal year 1969. By the Laboratory staff.
August 1970. iii + 22 p., 20 figs.. 8 tables.

343. Report of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Biological Laboratory.
Galveston. Texas, fiscal year 1969. By the Laboratory staff. August 1970. iii
+ 39 p.. 28 figs.. 9 UbIes.

344. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Tropical Atlantic Biological Laboratory
progress in research 1965-69. Miami. Florida. By Ann Weeks. October 1970. iv
+ 65 p.. 53 figs..

346. Sportsman's guide to handling, smoking, and preserving Great Lakes
coho salmon. By Shearon Dudley. J. T. Graikoski, H. L. Seagran. and Paul M.
Earl. September 1970. ui + 28' p.. 15 figs.

347. Synopsis of biological data on Pacific ocean perch, Sebastodes atutus.
By Richard L, Major and Herbert H, Shippen. December 1970. iii + 38 p.. 31
figs.. U tables.

349. Use of abstracts and summaries as communication devices in technical
articles. By F. Bruce Sanford. February 1971. iii + 11 p.. 1 fig.

350. Research in fiscal year 1%9 at the Bureau ot Commercial Fisheries
Biological Laboratory. Beaufort. N.C. By the Laboratory staff. November 1970.
ii + 49 p.. 21 figs., 17 tables.

351. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries Exploratory Fishing and Gear Research
Base. Pascagoula. Mississippi. July 1, 1967 to June 30, 1969. By Harvey R.
BuUis. Jr. and John R. Thompson. November 1970. iv + 29 p., 29 figs,. 1
Ubie.

352. Upstream passage of anadromous fish through navigation locks and use
of the stream for spawning and nursery habitat. Cape Fear River. N.C.
1962-66. By Paul R. Nichols and Darrell E. Louder. October 1970. iv + 12 p.,
9 figs., 4 tables.

356. Floating laboratory for study of aquatic organisms and their environ-
ment. By George R. Snyder. Theo,dore H. Blahm. and Robert J. McConnell.
May 1971. iii + 16 p.. 11 figs..

.tei. Regional and other related aspects of shellfish consumption — some
preliminary findings from the 1969 Consumer Panel Survey. By Morton M.
Miller and Darrel A. Nash. June 1971. iv + 18 p.. 19 figs., 3 tables, 10 apps,

362, Research vessels of the National Marine Fisheries Service. By Robert S.
Wolf. August 1971. iii + 46 p.. 25 figs,. 3 tables. For sale by the
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364. History and development of surf clam harvesting gear. By Phillip S.
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Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington. D.C. 20402.

365. Processing EASTROPAC STD daU and the construction of vertical
temperature and salinity sections by computer. By Forrest R. Miller and
Kenneth A. Bliss. February 1972, iv + 17 p.. 8 figs.. 3 appendix figs. For
sale by the Superintendent of Documents. U.S. Government Printing Office.
Washington. D.C. 20402.

366. Key to field identification of andromous juvenile salmonids in the Pacific
Northwest. By Robert J. McConnell and George R. Snyder. January 1972, iv
+ 6 p.. 4 figs. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents. U.S.
Government Printing Office. Washington. D.C. 20402.

367. Engineering economic model for fish protein concentration processes. By
K. K. Almenas, L. C. DurUla. R. C. Ernst. J. W. Gentry. M. B. Hale, and J.
M. Marchello. October 1972. iii + 175 p.. 6 figs.. 6 tables. For sale by the
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368. Cooperative Gulf of Mexico estuarine inventory and study. Florida;
Phase I. area description. By J. Kneeland McNulty. William N. Lindall. Jr..
and James E. Sykes. November 1972. vii + 126 p.. 46 figs.. 62 UbIes. For
sale by the Superintendent of Documents. U.S. Government Printing Office,
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369. Field guide to the anglefishes (Pomacanthidae) in the western Atlantic.
By Henry A. Feddern. November 1972. iii + 10 p.. 17 figs.. For sale by the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington.
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Continued on inside back cover.

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DOCUMENT
LIBRARY

Woods Hole Oceanographic

NOAA Technical Report NMFS CIRC-396 \^ institution

Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of
the Western North Atlantic

A Guide to Their Identification

STEPHEN LEATHERWOOD, DAVID K. CALDWELL,
and HOWARD E. WINN

with special assistance by

William E. Schevill and Melba C. Caldwell

SEATTLE, WA
AUGUST 1976

I CD UNITED STATES / NATIONAL OCEANIC AND / National Marine

i^ DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE / ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION / Fisheries Service

Elliot L. Richardson, Secretary / Robert M Wtiite, Administrator / Robert W Sclioning Director

For Sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402 Stock No. 003-020-00119-0

'^ENT O^

PREFACE

In March 1972, the Naval Undersea Center (NUC), San Diego, CaUf. in cooperation with the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Tiburon, Calif, published a photographic field guide— The Whales, Dolphins
and Porpoises of the Eastern North Pacific. A Guide to Their Identification in the Water, by S. Leatherwood,
W.E. Evans, and D.W. Rice (NUC TP 282). This guide was designed to assist the layman in identifying the
cetaceans he encountered in that area and was intended for use in two ongoing whale observer programs,
NUC's Whale Watch and NMFS's Platforms of Opportunity. The rationale of these programs was that since
oceanographers, commercial and sport fishermen, naval personnel, commercial seamen, pleasure boaters, and
coastal aircraft pilots together canvas large areas of the oceans which scientists specializing in whales
(cetologists) have time and funds to survey only occasionally, training those persons in species identification
and asking them to report their sightings back to central data centers could help scientists more clearly
understand distribution, migration, and seasonal variations in abundance of cetacean species. For such a
program to work, a usable field guide is a requisite. Because the many publications on the whales, dolphins, and
porpoises of this region were either too technical in content or too limited in geographical area or species
covered to be of use in field identification, and because conventional scientific or taxonomic groupings of the
animals are often not helpful in field identification, the photographic field guide took a different approach.
Instead of being placed into their scientific groups, species were grouped together on the basis of similarities in
appearance during the brief encounters typical at sea. Photographs of the animals in their natural
environment, supplemented by drawings and descriptions or tables distinguishing the most similar species,
formed the core of the guide.

Despite deficiencies in the first effort and the inherent difficulties of positively identifying many of the
cetacean species at sea, the results obtained from the programs have been encouraging. Many seafarers who
had previously looked with disinterest or ignorance on the animals they encountered became good critical
observers and found pleasure in the contribution they were making. The potential for the expansion of such
observer programs is enormous.

Because of these initial successes and the large number of requests for packets from persons working at
sea off the Atlantic coast of North America, this guide was planned. Many of the errors and deficiencies of the
Pacific Guide have been corrected, and the discussions of the ranges of many of the species have been expanded
with considerations of the major oceanographic factors affecting their distribution and movements. While the
present volume, like the Pacific Guide, is intended as an aid to the identification of living animals at sea, new
materials have been provided to aid in the identification and reporting of stranded specimens, a major source of
data and study material for museums. This new dimension is expected to assist the U.S. National Museum,
various regional museums, and other researchers actively collecting cetacean materials for display and study
in the implementation of their stranded animal salvage programs. Through a cooperative effort of this kind, the
best possible use can be made of all materials that become available.

As a part of continuing research, this guide will be revised whenever possible. Suggestions for its
improvement will at all times be welcome.

Funds for the preparation of this guide were provided by a grant to Stephen Leatherwood from the Platforms
of Opportunity Program, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Tiburon, Calif., Paul Sund, Coordinator.

CONTENTS

Introduction 1

Classification of cetaceans 1

Dolphin or porpoise 5

Organization of the guide 5

How to use the guide 7

To identify animals at sea 7

To identify stranded animals 7

To record and report information 7

Directory to species accounts:

Large whales:

With a dorsal fin 10

Without dorsal fin 13

Medium-sized whales:

With a dorsal fin 14

Without dorsal fin 15

Small whales, dolphins, and porpoises with a dorsal fin 16

Species accounts:

Large whales with a dorsal fin:

Blue whale 19

Fin whale 26

Sei whale 32

Bryde's whale 37

Humpback whale 40

Large whales without dorsal fin:

Bowhead whale 49

Right whale 52

Sperm whale 57

Medium-sized whales with a dorsal fin:

Minke whale 63

Northern bottlenosed whale 67

Goosebeaked whale 70

Other beaked whales 74

True's beaked whale 77

Antillean beaked whale 78

Dense-beaked whale 80

North Sea beaked whale 82

Killer whale 84

False killer whale 88

Atlantic pilot whale 91

Short-finned pilot whale 94

Grampus 96

Medium-sized whales without dorsal fin:

Beluga 99

Narwhal 102

Small whales, dolphins, and porpoises with a dorsal fin:

Atlantic spotted dolphin 104

Bridled dolphin 108

Spinner dolphin 110

Striped dolphin 113

Saddleback dolphin 116

Fraser's dolphin 120

Atlantic white-sided dolphin 123

White-beaked dolphin 126

Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin 128

Guiana dolphin 132

Rough toothed dolphin 135

Pygmy killer whale 138

Many-toothed blackfish 142

Pygmy sperm whale 144

Dwarf sperm whale 148

Harbor porpoise 150

Acknowledgments 152

111

Selected bibliography 152

Appendix A, Tags on whales, dolphins, and porpoises 154

Appendix B, Recording and reporting observations of cetaceans at sea 160

Appendix C, Stranded whales, dolphins, and porpoises; with a key to the identification of stranded

cetaceans of the western North Atlantic 163

Appendix D, Recording and reporting data on stranded cetaceans 169

Appendix E, List of institutions to contact regarding stranded cetaceans 171

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) does not approve, rec-
ommend or endorse any proprietary product or proprietary material
mentioned in this publication. No reference shall be made to NMFS, or
to this publication furnished by NMFS, in any advertising or sales pro-
motion which would indicate or imply that NMFS approves, recommends
or endorses any proprietary product or proprietary material mentioned
herein, or which has as its purpose an intent to cause directly or indirectly
the advertised product to be used or purchased because of this NMFS
publication.

Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the
Western North Atlantic

A Guide to Their Identification

STEPHEN LEATHERWOOD,' DAVID K. CALDWELL/ and
HOWARD E.WINN'

with special assistance by
WUliam E . Schevill * and Melba C . Caldwell '

ABSTRACT

This field guide is designed to permit observers to identify the cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises)
they see in the western North Atlantic, including the Caribbean Sea. the Gulf of Mexico, and the coastal
waters of the United States and Canada. The animals described are grouped not by scientific relationships but
by similarities in appearance in the field. Photographs of the animals in their natural environment are the main
aids to identification.

A dichotomized key is provided to aid in identification of stranded cetaceans and appendices describe how
and to whom to report data on live and dead cetaceans.

INTRODUCTION

All whales, dolphins, and porpoises belong to an order or
major scientific group called the Cetacea by scientists. They
are all mammals (air-breathing animals which have hair in at
least some stage of their development, maintain a constant
body temperature, bear their young alive, and nurse them for
a while) which have undergone extensive changes in body
form (anatomy) and function (physiology) to cope with a life
spent entirely in the water. The breathing aperture(s), called
a blowhole or blowholes, has (have) migrated to the top of the
head to facilitate breathing while swimming; the forward
appendages have become flippers; the hind appendages have
nearly disappeared, they remain only as small traces of bone
deeply imbedded in the muscles. Propulsion is provided by
fibrous, horizontally flattened tail flukes.

Scientists recognize two suborders of living cetaceans: the
whalebone whales, suborder Mysticeti, and the toothed
whales, suborder Odontoceti. The two groups are separated
in the following ways:

BALEEN OR WHALEBONE WHALES. These animals are
called whalebone whales because when fully formed instead
of teeth they have up to 800 or more plates of baleen or
whalebone depending from the roof of the mouth. They use
these plates to strain their food, which consists of "krill"

'Biomedical Division, Undersea Sciences Department, Naval
Undersea Center, San Diego. CA 92132.

'Biocommunication and Marine Mammal Research Facility,
C. V. Whitney Marine Research Laboratory of the University of Florida,
St. Augustine, FL 32084.

'Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island.
Kingston, RI 02881.

'Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Woods Hole, MA 02543 and
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
02138.

(primarily small crustaceans) and/or small schooling fish, by
taking water into the mouth and forcing it out through the
overlapping fringes of the baleen plates. Baleen whales are
externally distinguishable from toothed whales by having
paired blowholes. There are eight species of baleen whales in
the western North Atlantic, ranging in size from the minke
whale (just over 30 feet [about 9.1 m])'to the blue whale (85
feet [25.9 m]).

TOOTHED WHALES. Unlike the baleen whales, the toothed
whales do have teeth after birth. The teeth vary in number
from 2 to over 250, though they may sometimes be concealed
beneath the gum. In addition, toothed whales have only a
single blowhole. This group includes the animals commonly
called dolphin or porpoise as well as some commonly called
whales (for example, the sperm whale). There are currently
about 30 species of toothed whales known from the western
North Atlantic, ranging in maximum adult size from the
common or harbor porpoise, which is approximately 5 feet
(1.5 m) long, up to the sperm whale which reaches a length of
68 feet (20.7 m). Several other species which are expected to
be found in this region, though they have not yet been
reported, are also included in this guide.

CLASSIFICATION OF CETACEANS

In addition to the two suborders (Mysticeti and
Odontoceti), the cetacean order contains numerous families,
genera, and species. Each of these groupings represents a
progressively more specialized division of the animals into
categories on the basis of similarities in their skulls.

'Throughout this guide, measurements are given first in feet or
inches, followed in parentheses by their equivalents in meters or
centimeters. It is recognized that field estimates cannot be as precise as
most of the conversions used.

ATLANTIC OCEAN

Figure l.-The western North Atlantic, from Ut. 35°N-65°N.

postcranial skeletons, and external characteristics. The
discipline which concerns itself with naming an animal and
assigning it to its appropriate scientific category is known as
taxonomy. An example of the classification of a cetacean
species is shown in the following:

SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION OF THE
ATLANTIC BOTTLENOSED DOLPHIN

Kingdom:

Phylum:

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class:

Order:

Suborder:

Animalia all animals

Chordata having at some stage a noto-

chord, the precursor of the
backbone
animals with backbones-
fishes, amphibians, reptiles,
birds, and mammals

Mammalia animals that suckle their
young

Cetacea carnivorous, wholly aquatic

mammals: whales, including
dolphins and porpoises

Odontoceti toothed whales as distinguish-
ed from Mysticeti, the
baleen whales

Family: Delphinidae dolphins

Genus: Tursiops bottlenosed dolphins

Species: truncatus Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin

Modern taxonomy had its origin with the Swedish
naturalist Linnaeus, whose tenth edition of the Systema
Naturae in 1758 forms the official starting point. Following
Linnaeus, modern scientific names consist of two words, a
generic name, which has an initial capital, and a species name,
which rarely does, occasionally in botany (some species
names deriving from a person's name are capitalized). Both
names are usually of Latin origin (sometimes Greek) and are
italicized or underlined. These scientific names are of
particular importance because, although common names of
species often are different in different countries or even in
different regions of the same country, the scientific name
remains the same. For example, the right whale is uni-
versally known as Eubalaerva glacialis though its common
names include black right whale, nordcaper, sletbag, Biscay
whale, and Biscayan right whale.

Although classification of many species is still in a state of
flux, the classification of western North Atlantic cetaceans
followed in this guide is as follows:

Figure 2.-1116 western North Atlantic, from lat. 37°N south to eastern Venezuela.

Order Cetacea

Suborder Mysticeti — Baleen whales
Family Balaenopteridae— Rorquals

Balaenopteraacutorostrata

Balaenoptera physalus

Bataenoptera musculus

Balaenoptera borealis

Balaenoptera edeni

Megaptera novaeangliae
Family Balaenidae— Right whales

Balaenamysticetus

EubalaerM glacialis
Suborder Odontoceti— Toothed whales
Family Ziphiidae

Mesoplodon bidens

Mesoplodon densirostris

Page of

synoptic account

of the species

Lacepede 1804

Minke whale

(Linnaeus 1758)

Fin whale

(Linnaeus 1758)

Blue whale

Lesson 1828

Sei whale

Anderson 1879

Bryde's whale

(Borowski 1781)

Humpback whale

Linnaeus 1758

Bowhead whale

(Borowski 1781)

Right whale

(Sowerby 1804)

North Sea beaked whale

(Blainvillein

Dense-beaked whale

Desmarestl817)

blowho les

dorsal fin

baleen ar
wha I e bone

t h roa t
g rooves

umbilicus
( novel )

Figure 3. — A baleen whale (humpback) showing the main body parts referred to in the text.

Mesoplodon europaeus

(Gervais 1855)

Antillean beaked whale

Mesoplodon mirus

True 1913

True's beaked whale

Ziphius cavirostris

G.Cuvierl823

Goosebeaked whale

Hyperoodon ampullatus

(Forster 1770)

Northern bottlenosed whale

Family Physeteridae

Physeter catodon

Linnaeus 1758

Sperm whale

Kogiabreviceps

(Blainville 1838)

Pygmy sperm whale

144

Kogia simus

(Owen 1866)

Dwarf sperm whale

148

Family Monodontidae

•

Monodon monoceros

Linnaeus 1758

Narwhal

102

Delphinapterus leucas

(Pallas 1776)

Beluga

Family Stenidae

Steno bredanensis

(G. Cuvier in Lesson 1828)

Rough-toothed dolphin

135

Sotalia guianensis

(P.-J. van Beneden 1864)

Guiana dolphin

132

Family Delphinidae

Peponocephalaelectra

(Gray 1846)

Many-toothed blackfish

142

Feresaattenuata

Gray 1874

Pygmy killer whale

138

Pseudorca crassidens

(Owen 1846)

False killer whale

Globicephala melaena

(Traill 1809)

Atlantic pilot whale

Globicephala macrorhynckus

Gray 1846

Short-finned pilot whale

Orcinus orca

(Linnaeus 1758)

Killer whale

Lagenorhynchus albirostris

Gray 1846

White-beaked dolphin

126

Lagenorhynchus acutus

(Gray 1828)

Atlantic white-sided dolphin

123

Lagenodetphis hosei

Fraser 1956

Fraser's dolphin

120

Tursiops truncatus

(Montagu 1821)

Bottlenosed dolphin

128

Grampus griseus

(G. Cuvier 1812)

Grampus

SteneUa longirostris

Gray 1828

Spinner dolphin

110

Stenella frontalis

(G. Cuvier 1829)

Bridled dolphin

108

Stenella coeruleoalba

(Meyen 1833)

Striped dolphin

113

Stenella plagiodon

(Cope 1866)

Spotted dolphin

104

Delphinus delphis

Linnaeus 1758

Saddleback dolphin

116

Family Phocoenidae

Phocoenaphocoena

(Linnaeus 1758)

Harbor porpoise

150

This tentative classification follows an unpublished list by
W.E. Schevilland E.M. Mitchell currently under review. The

scientific names are followed by the name of the individual
who named the species and the year of naming, and then by

Figure 4. — A fin whale in the North Atlantic with the paired blowholes
open during respiration. The paired blowholes distinguish this animal as a
baleen whale. (Photo by W. A. Watkins.)

the common name most often used in the western North
Atlantic' It may be noted that some of the authors are in
parentheses. This indicates that though the species name has
remained the same since the date of naming the species has
since been assigned to another genus. Because the species are
not arranged in taxonomic order in this field guide, the page
of the synoptic account of each is p "ovided in the column to the
right.

DOLPHIN OR PORPOISE

There is still considerable controversy over the correct
usage of the terms dolphin and porpoise. As mentioned in the
preceding section, common names of any species may vary
from locale to locale and even from individual to individual.
Some persons argue for the use of the term porpoise for all
small cetaceans. Others insist on the term dolphin. Still
others either randomly use the terms or call members of the

' Most common names are based on some characteristic of the species
(e.g.. spotted dolphin, striped dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin); others
are the names of authors of the species (e.g., True's beaked whale) or of
habitats or macrohabitats which they inhabit (e.g.. North Sea beaked
whale and harbor porpoise); the origins of some common names, however,
are less obvious (e.g.. dense-beaked whale), and of less use in field
references.

family Delphinidae dolphins and members of the family
Phocoenidae porpoises. The evidence supporting any one of
these positions is confusing at best and no usage of terms
appears to be without problems. We see no wholly
satisfactory resolution to the problem at this time. For all
these reasons, we have little desire to defend our decision to
follow the last of these practices in this guide, referring to all
members of the family Delphinidae for which the term
dolphin or porpoise appears in the common name as dolphins,
and to the one member of the family Phocoenidae represented
in the western North Atlantic, Phocoerm phocoena, as the
harbor porpoise. Although all cetaceans may be regarded as
whales, the term "whale" most commonly applies to the
larger animals. For all species treated, other common names
by which they may be known are also listed.

Detailed treatment of the relative merits of the various
terminologies is inappropriate here. Furthermore, it is our
opinion that the usage of the terms dolphin, porpoise, and
whale as part of the common names of cetaceans is largely a
matter of personal preference.

ORGANIZATION OF THE GUIDE

The differences between baleen and toothed whales are
easy enough to see in animals washed up on the beach or
maintained in a tank at a zoo or aquarium. But since an animal
at sea can seldom be examined that closely, its most obvious
characteristics may be its overall size, the presence or
absence of a dorsal fin, its prominent coloration or markings,
its general behavior, or its swimming, blowing, and diving
characteristics. For that reason, regardless of their scientific
relationships, all the whales, dolphins, and the one porpoise
covered in the main text of this guide are divided into three
groups. Those over 40 feet (12.2 m) long are discussed in the
section on Large Whales, those from 13 to 40 feet (4.0 to 12.2
m) in the Medium- Sized Whale, and those less than 13 feet
(4.0 m) in the Small Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoise (with a
dorsal fin). There are no small whales, dolphins, or por-
poises in this region without a dorsal fin. Each section is
further divided into those animals with a dorsal fin and those
without. From that point, animals likely to be confused in
the field are grouped together and the important differ-
ences between them are discussed.

The synoptic accounts of the species are followed by five
appendices: Appendix A discusses and illustrates man-made
and applied tags and natural markings on cetaceans and their
importance in studies of natural history. Appendix B
discusses the data which are most important to record in
observations of cetaceans at sea, gives examples, and
provides blank sighting forms. Appendix C discusses possible
causes of cetacean strandings and the manner in which
stranded animals should be handled and adds a key and tables
to aid in identifying stranded cetaceans. Appendix D
provides guidelines for collecting data on stranded cetaceans
and provides forms and specific instructions for taking
standard measurements. Appendix E lists institutions to be
contacted in the event of a cetacean stranding or for
information.

A bibliography of useful references on cetaceans in
general and cetaceans of this region in particular and a
directory to species accounts are included.

Figure 5. — A humpback whale lying on
its left side on the deck of a Canadian
whaling station. Note the fringes of
baleen suspended from the roof of the
mouth. {Photo by J. G. Mead.)

/•"^SVtlv.

Figure 7. — The open mouth of an Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin from the
northeastern Gulf of Mexico. All toothed whales have teeth, which are
used primarily for grasping rather than lor chewing. The number varies
from 2 to over 250. though they are buried beneath the gums in females
and immature animals of several species, take peculiar form in one
(narwhal), andareextensively worn in others. (PAoto 6vi). K. CaldwelL)

HOW TO USE THE GUHJE

To Identify Animals at Sea

The three major sections of the guide (i.e., large, medium,
and small whales) are preceded by a directory to species
accounts, which is a summary of the most obvious
characteristics of each species and in which summary
statements about each characteristic are arranged in parallel
order. To use the guide to identify living animals observed at
sea, a person or persons should:

1. First estimate the animal's size and determine whether
or not it has a dorsal fin.

2. Note also any distinctive features of body shape and
coloration and observe its general behavior, including
swimming, blowing, and diving characteristics. It should be
noted that coloration may vary somewhat at sea, depending
on light conditions and water clarity. For example, animals
which appear dark gray or black at the surface or when dead
may appear brown in good light or when submerged. Making
a brief sketch at this point may aid in identifying the animal or
in later recalling its distinctive features.

3. Using the directory, locate the section to which the
animal probably belongs.

4. Then, for more detailed information, consult the section
indicated. There you will find a more complete discussion of
the animal's range, size, and distinctive characteristics. In
addition, you will find a brief discussion distinguishing it from
animals with which it is likely to be confused in the field.

Figure 6. — Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin mother and calf from north-
eastern Florida. Note the single open blowhole, a characteristic that
marks these animals as toothed whales. {Photo c<mrte$y of Marmeland
of Florida.)

This guide will probably work best if, in advance of
attempting to use the key in the field, the reader will
familiarize himself with the general outline, with characters
or behaviors to note, and with the locations of the various
species accounts. It will also help if he schools himself to ask a
series of questions about the animal(s) he sees at the time of
the encounter rather than depending on his recall at a later
time (see p. 160). As we have emphasized several times in
this guide, positive identification of cetaceans at sea can
only occasionally be made on the basis of a single character-
istic. Therefore, the greater the amount of pertinent evi-
dence an observer obtains, the greater the likelihood he can
make a reliable identification.

To Identify Stranded Animals

Stranded animals can best be identified by referring to
Appendix C and its associated tables, making a preliminary
determination and then consulting the species accounts in the
main body of the book for verification of the identification. As
noted in that appendix, if the animal is recently stranded,
identification can be made using any of the externally visible
characteristics described for the living species at sea. But
even if the animal is in an advanced stage of decomposition, it
can usually be identified by referring to the key and to the
numbers and descriptions of baleen plates, for all baleen
whales, and the numbers and relative lengths of ventral
grooves, for all balaenopterine whales (Table 1), or to the
tables on the numbers and descriptions of teeth, for toothed
whales (Table 2).

To Record and Report Information

As discussed in the preface, though learning to identify
the whales, dolphins, and porpoises one sees may be exciting
in itself, many persons may want to participate in the
accumulation of data on these interesting animals by
routinely reporting their observations to scientists who are
actively studying them and who can make immediate use of
the information. The following may help these persons:

Suggestions for making and recording observations of
cetaceans at sea and sample data forms are included in
Appendix C. Similar suggestions for taking and recording
data on stranded cetaceans are included in Appendix D. For
both types of data, blank data forms located after the
appendices may be photocopied in bulk for use in the field.

Completed data forms and all associated information for
sightings at sea should be forwarded to the Platforms of
Opportunity Program, National Marine Fisheries Service,
Tiburon, CA 94920, or to one of the authors of this guide.
From there, they will be made available to scientists active-
ly studying the cetaceans of a given species or geographical
area.

Completed data forms and all associated information for
observations of stranded cetaceans should be forwarded to
the Division of Mammals, U.S. National Museum,
Washington, DC 20560, to one of the authors of this guide,
or to one of the regional laboratories listed in Appendix E.
These persons have, in turn, been encouraged to keep a free
flow of information among them.

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LARGE WHALES

(40-85 feet [12-26 ml maximum overall length)

With a Dorsal Fin

All five species of large whales with a dorsal fin belong to
the same major baleen whale group, the balaenopterid
whales or rorquals. All are characterized by the presence of a
series of ventral grooves, usually visible on stranded
specimens and the length and number of which are diagnostic
to species. In addition, all species, with the exception of the
humpback whale, have at least one distinctive (though often
not prominent) ridge along the head from just in front of the
blowhole to near the tip of the snout. (The humpback whale,
on the other hand, is distinguished by numerous knobs,
some of which are located along the line of the head ridge,
with others scattered on the top of the head.) In Bryde's
whale, the single head ridge characteristic of the other ror-
quals is supplemented by two auxiliary ridges, one on each
side of the main ridge.

At sea, these whales often appear very similar and must
be examined carefully before they can be reliably identified.

In general, though the characteristics of behavior may

vary from one encounter to the next, based on the activities in
which the animal is engaged, whales in this group may be
distinguished from each other on the basis of differences in 1)
the size, shape, and position of the dorsal fin and the timing of
its appearance on the surface relative to the animal's blow (in
general, the larger the whale, the smaller the dorsal fin— the
further back its position and the later its appearance on the
surface after the animal's blow); 2) the height of body in the
area of the dorsal fin, relative to the size of the dorsal fin,
which is exposed as the animal sounds; 3) sometimes the blow
rate and movement patterns; and 4) the shape and color of the
head.

Despite variability in behavior by members of the same
species from one encounter to the next, an observer can
greatly increase the reliability of his identification by forming
the habit of working systematically through a set of
characteristics for the species rather than depending on any
single characteristic.

Body very large, up to 85 feet (25.9 m) long.'

Body basically bluish with mottlings of grayish white.

Baleen all black.

Head broad and nearly U-shaped, viewed from above.

Head flat in front of blowhole, viewed from side.

Dorsal fin small (to 13 inches (33 cm]), triangular to moderately

falcate, in the last one-third of back.
Distribution primarily from temperate seas to pack ice; rare in

tropics.
Distribution more northerly during summer.
Flukes occasionally raised slightly on long dive.

Body large, up to 79 feet (24 m) long.

Body mostly dark gray or brownish gray; undersides of flukes and

flippers and belly white; grayish-white chevron frequently on

back behind head.
Right lower lip white; right upper lip sometimes white; left lip dark.
Head V-shaped, viewed from above.

Right front one-third to one-fifth of baleen plates, yellowish white.
Other baleen bluish gray with yellowish-white stripes.
Dorsal fin to 24 inches (61 cm), slightly more than one-third forward

from tail; forms angle of less than 40° with back.
Distribution extensive but not very common near pack ice and in

tropics.
Distribution more northerly during summer.
Flukes not raised on dive.

Blue whale

Balaenoptera musculus
p. 19

Fin whale

Balaenoptera phy solus
p. 26

Body up to 62 feet (19 m) long.

Body appears shiny; dark g^ay on back, often with ovoid

grayish-white scars; white on front of belly; undersides of

flippers and flukes dark.

Sei whale

Balaenoptera borealis
p. 32

'These figures are all near maximum sizes recorded for the North Atlantic. For all species which have historically been ex
ploited by whale fisheries present maximum sizes may be significantly less than these figures.

It should also be noted that differences in methods of measurements often account for discrepancies in reported lengths.

BLUE

Fl N

SEI

BRYDE S

Figure 8a. — Swimming, blowing, and diving characteristics of blue, fin, sei, and Bryde's whales.

Baleen grayish or ash black with fine, light-gray bristles.

Dorsal fin to 24 inches (61 cm), strongly falcate, well more than one-
third forward from tail; forms angle of more than 40° with
back.

Distribution extensive; are not very common in cold waters and
may have a greater tendency than fin whales to enter tropi-
cal waters.

Distribution more northerly in summer.

Flukes not raised on dive.

Body up to 46 feet (14 m) long.

Body dark gray overall.

Head has series of three ridges from area of blowhole to snout.

Baleen slate gray with coarse dark bristles.

Dorsal fin to 18 inches (45.7 cm), falcate, well more than one-third

forward from tail, often irregularly worn on rear margin.
Distribution primarily tropical and southern temperate.
Flukes not raised on dive.

Bryde's whale

Balaenoptera edeni
p. 37

HUMPBACK

BOWHEAD

RIGHT

SPERM

Figure 8b. — Swimming, blowing, and diving characteristics of humpback, bowhead, right, and sperm whales.

Body up to 53 feet (16.2 m) long.

Body dark gray with irregular white area on belly; flippers white;

underside of flukes often has varying amounts of white.
Head in front of blowhole flat and covered with knobs.
Baleen dark gray to black with olive-black bristles.
Dorsal fin small, quite variable in shape, usually hooked, located

on a step or hump, in last one-third of back.
Flippers very long (to nearly one-third of body length), white, and

scalloped on leading edge.
Distribution at least New England to Iceland and Greenland during

summer.
Distribution to shallow tropical banks, winter and spring.
Flukes often scalloped on trailing edges and sometimes raised on

dive.

Humpback whale

Megaptera novaeangliae
p. 40

NOTE: Because of its small adult size, usually less than 30 feet (9. Im), another member of the rorqual family,
the minke whale, is included with the medium-sized whales in this guide. Features by which it may be
distinguished from all other rorquals are discussed in the species account.

Further, inasmuch as the dorsal fin of the humpback whale is highly variable in shape, positive identification
may require reference to the sperm whale (p. 57), which, though the sperm whale has been classified with
species without dorsal fin, has a rather distinct dorsal hump, particularly noticeable when the animal arches
the back and tail to begin a long dive.

(40-65 feet [12-20 m| maximum overall length)

Without a Dorsal Fin

There are three species of large whales without a dorsal
fin in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Two of these, the
bowhead or Greenland whale, and its more widely distributed
close relative the right whale, are baleen whales. The third,
the sperm whale, is a toothed whale. The first two have
relatively smooth backs without even a trace of a dorsal fin.
The sperm whale has a humplike low, thick, dorsal ridge,
which, from certain views, particularly when the animal is
humping up to begin a dive, may be clearly visible and look
like a fin. But because the profile of that hump and the
knuckles which follow it are often not very prominent in this
species, it has been classified with the finless big whales.

All three species are characterized by very distinctive
blows or spouts. In both the bowhead and the right whales,
the projection of the blow upward from two widely separated

blowholes assumes a very wide V-shape with two distinct
columns, which may be seen when the animals are viewed
from front or back. Though this character may be visible
under ideal conditions in many of the other baleen whales
species as well, it is exaggerated and uniformly distinct in the
bowhead and right whales and may be used as one of the
primary key characters. In the sperm whale, the blow
emanates from a blowhole which is displaced to the left of the
head near the front and projects obliquely forward to the
animal's left. This blow seen under ideal conditions positively
labels a large whale as a sperm whale.

Remember, however, that wind conditions may affect the
disposition and duration of the blow of any species and that a
single character alone is seldom sufficient to permit positive
identification.

Body to 65 feet (19.8 m) long.

Body dark; back smooth.

Chin and belly often white.

Head lacks callosities.

Baleen dark gray with gray fringes; to 12 feet (3.7 m) or more.

Upper jaw and lower lip strongly arched.

Two blowholes clearly separated.

Blow projects upward in wide Vshape.

Distribution restricted to Arctic waters south to Davis Straits.

Flukes raised on longer dives.

Bowhead whale

Balaena mysticetus
p. 49

Body to 53 feet (16.2 m) long.

Body from dark to light gray and mottled; back smooth; chin and
belly usually white.

Head and lower jaw covered with callosities (the largest of which is
called the bonnet and is set on top of the snout).

Baleen usually dark gray with dark fringes; to 7.2 feet (2. 2 m). When
animals swim, mouth agape, near surface; baleen sometimes
appears pale brownish to yellowish g^ay in color.

Upper jaw and lower lip strongly arched.

Two blowholes clearly separated.

Blow projects upward in wide V-shape.

Distribution extends from Iceland south at least to Florida and re-
ported from Texas.

Flukes raised on longer dives.

Right whale

Eubalaena gladalis
p. 52

Body to 69 feet (20.9 m) long; males grow significantly larger than

females.
Body dark grayish brown to brown; wrinkled in appearance.
Back has rounded hump followed by knuckles.
Head boxlike, comprises up to 40% of body length.
From 18 to 25 functional teeth in each side of narrow lower jaw.
Single blowhole on left of head at front.
Blow projects forward obliquely from head and to left.
Distribution extends from tropics to Arctic; adult males distributed

farther north.
Flukes raised on longer dives.

Sperm whale

Physeter catodon
p. 57

'These figures are near maximum sizes recorded for the North Atlantic. All three species have been heavily exploited by
whale fisheries. Therefore maximum sizes today may be significantly less than these figures (see text).

It should also be noted that differences in methods of measurements often account for discrepancies in reported lengths.

MEDIUM-SIZED WHALES

(13-32 feet [4-10 m] maximum overall length)

With a Dorsal Fin

There are 11 species of medium-sized whales with a dorsal
fin known from the western North Atlantic. These species,
taking many diverse forms, range in maximum adult size
from about 13 feet (4.0 m) (grampus) to about 33 feet (10.1 m)
(the minke whale). This group includes such widely
distributed and frequently encountered species as the pilot
whales, false killer whales, and minke whales, and such
rarely encountered and poorly known species as the various
"beaked whales" (Mesoplodon spp. and the goosebeaked
whale).

Aside from their common inclusion within the stated size
range and the presence of a dorsal fin in all species (which
ranges from only a small nubbin in some of the beaked whales
to a substantial 5- to 6-foot [1.5- to 1.8-m] sail on adult male
killer whales), these species have no diagnostic field
characteristics in common. Therefore, each is discussed in
detail and is placed in the text in near proximity to those
species with which it is likely to be confused in the field.

Body to 30 feet (9.1 m), or more, long.

Body black or dark gray; area of gray shading on each side just in

front of and below dorsal fin.
Flippers have transverse white band.
Head very sharply V-shaped viewed from above.
Dorsal fin falcate and distinct; usually appears simultaneous

with blow.
Blow often low and indistinct.

Distribution polar, temperate, and tropical: frequently coastal.
Often curious about boats.
Flukes not raised on dive.

Body to 32 feet (9.8 m) long.

Body of young uniformly chocolate brown; body of adults brown

with cream or yellow blotches.
Head bulbous in adults and white in larger animals; has distinct

beak.
Dorsal fin falcate and distinct, in last one-third of back.
Distribution north temperate and Arctic-offshore.
Often curious about boats.
Flukes large, rarely notched; occasionally raised on long dive.

Body to at least 23 feet (7 m) long.

Body from dark gray or brown to rust or fawn and splotched with

white; eyes dark.
Head of large males white.
Back frequently scarred with numerous scratches, presumably

tooth marks.
Dorsal fin falcate and distinct, in last one-third of back.
Distribution primarily tropical; extends to temperate.
Flukes light beneath, sometimes shallowly notched; often raised on

dive.

Body to 16-22 feet (4.9-6.7 m) long.
Body color black to dark gray.
Back frequently scarred.
Dorsal fin position varies with species.
Distribution varies with species.
Flukes not usually distinctly notched.

Body to at least 30 feet (9.1 m) long.

Body black with sharply demarcated white belly and oval white

patch above and behind eye; gray saddle behind dorsal fin.
Body chunky.

Dorsal fin in males can be very tall, sometimes 6 feet (1.8 m).
Dorsal fin in females and immature animals up to 3 feet (0.9 m),

distinctly falcate.

Minke whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata
p. 63

Northern bottlenosed whale

Hyperoodon ampuUatus
p. 67

Goosebeaked whale

Ziphius cavirostris
p. 70

All other western North Atlantic
beaked whales

Mesoplodon spp.
p. 74

Killer whale

Orcinus area
p. 84

Distributed from tropics to Arctic; most common in colder waters.
Often seen in shallow bays and rivers and near shore.
Flukes may be raised on dive.

Body to at least 18 feet (5.5 m) long.

Body black (faint gray blaze on belly between flippers).

Body slender.

Head small, tapering.

Large prominent teeth frequently visible at sea.

Flippers have distinct hump on leading edge.

Dorsal fin to 14 inches (35.6 cm), falcate, and from rounded to

pointed on tip.
Distribution pelagic tropical to warm temperate seas.
Frequently ride bow waves.

Body to at least 22 feet (6.7 m) long.

Body black with light gray, anchor-shaped area on chest; gray

saddle sometimes seen behind dorsal fin.
Head becoming more bulbous with age, somewhat squarish in

adult males viewed from above.
Tail humped.

Flippers long (to one-fifth of body length), sickle-shaped.
Dorsal fin broad-based, falcate to flaglike, in front half of back.
Distribution primarily north temperate— about Hatteras north.
Flukes not usually raised on dive.

Body to at least 17.5 feet (5.3 m) long.

Body black with indistinct light gray area on chest; saddle behind

dorsal fin.
Head becoming more bulbous with age; square in large adult males

viewed from above.
Flippers relatively short (to less than one-sixth of body length).
Dorsal fin broad-based, falcate to flaglike, in front half of back.
Distribution tropical and warm temperate; from about Hatteras

south.
Flukes not usually raised on dive.

Body to at least 13 feet (4.0 m) long.

Body of newborn light gray; darkens with age.

Body of adults light gray or white; scarred with numerous

scratches.
Head blunted, not beaked.
Forehead has vertical crease in center.
Dorsal fin less than 15 inches (38.1 cm), rather erect and distinct,

and dark even in light adults.
Distribution tropical to temperate.
Rarely ride bow wave.

False killer whale

Pseudorca crassidens
p. 88

Atlantic pilot whale

Globicephala melaena
p. 91

Short-finned pilot whale

Globicephala macrorhynchus
p. 94

Grampus

Grampus griseus
p. 96

(13-16 feet [4-5 m] maximum overall length)

Without a Dorsal Fin

The only two species of medium-sized cetaceans in the
western North Atlantic which have no dorsal fin, the Beluga
or white whale and the Narwhal, share such limited common

range, well outside the theater of normal boating traffic, that
they are generally infrequently encountered.
Both species are easily identifiable when seen.

Body to 16 feet (4.9 m) long.

Body of adults all white; young slate gray.

Small row of bumps along back ridge near midpoint, sometimes

dark brown.
Distribution usually near coast from Arctic waters to St. Lawrence

Gulf and into Hudson Bay.

Beluga

Delphinaptems leucas
p. 99

Body to 16 feet (4.9 m) long. Narwhal

Body of adult brownish with grayish spots; body of young dark Monodon monoceros

bluish gray fading to white belly. ^^2

Head small; adults may have tusks up to 9 feet long (2.7 m). P'

Small row of bumps along back ridge.
Distribution usually in coastal waters from Arctic waters south to

Labrador coast.

SMALL WHALES, DOLPHINS, AND PORPOISES

(less than 13 feet [4 mj maximum overall length)

With a Dorsal Fin

The species in this group are not discussed in order near proximity to those animals with which they are likely to
of length; instead the species of the genus Stenella are treat- be confused in the field,

ed together and then they and other species are placed in

Body to 7.5-8 feet (2.3-2.4 m) long. Atlantic spotted dolphin

Body dark purplish gray on back, lighter gray on sides and belly; Stenella plagiodon

becomes increasingly spotted with increase in size. ^q4

Body has spinal blaze and light line from flipper to eye.
Beak white on tip.
Rides bow waves.
Distribution usually in tropical and warm temperate waters; most

common inside 100-fathom curve of continents.

Body to at least 7 feet (2.1 m) long. Bridled dolphin

Body dark gray on back; lighter gray on sides and belly. Stenella frontalis

Body has no spinal blaze. p ^Qg

Cape on top of head distinct.
Bridle: dark lines from eye to rostrum and from flippers to corner

of mouth.
Rides bow waves.
Distribution in tropical waters, primarily in West Indies.

Body to at least 7 feet (2. 1 m) long. Spinner dolphin

Body dark gray on back; tan on sides; white on belly. SteneUa longirostris

Beak often long and slender, usually black above, white below. p hq

Tip of snout and lips distinctly black.

Dorsal fin moderately falcate to triangular and very erect.

Rides bow waves.

Often jumps and spins on longitudinal axis.

Distribution in oceanic and coastal tropical waters.

Body to about 9 feet (2.7 m) long. ^'"^"^ '*°'P'7^ _

Body dark gray or bluish gray on back; gray on sides; gray or white SteneUa coeruleoalba -

on belly. Stenella Styx

Distinctive black stripes from: 1) eye to anus. 2) eye to flipper. p ^^^3

Distinctive black blaze from behind dorsal fin to side above flipper.
Rides bow waves.
Distribution temperate, subtropical, and tropical; seldom close to

shore.

Body to 8.5 feet (2.6 m); usually less than 7.5 feet (2.3 m) long. Saddleback dolphin

Body brownish gray to black; belly and chest white; crisscross Delphinus delphis

(hourglass) pattern of yellow tan on sides. j^g

Distinct black stripe from center of lower jaw to flipper.
Rides bow waves.
Distribution temperate and tropical; seldom close to shore.

Body to at least 8 feet (2.4 m) long.

Body very robust in front of dorsal fin, resembling cross between

saddleback dolphin and Atlantic white-sided dolphin.
Beak very short and indistinct.
Distinct black stripe from beak to area of anus.
Dorsal fin and flippers small.
Distribution tropical (not yet recorded in western North Atlantic).

Fraser's dolphin

Lagenoldelphis hosei
p. 120

Body to about 9 feet (2.7 m) long.

Dorsal fin part gray, part black; tall and distinctly falcate.

Distinctive patch of white on side; tan or yellow coloration below

and behind dorsal fin, often visible on swimming animal.
Beak short; all dark.
Does not usually ride bow waves.
Distribution Cape Cod to southern Greenland.

Atlantic white-sided dolphin

Lagenorhynchus acutus
p. 123

Body to about 10 feet (3.1 m) long.

Dorsal fin all black, tall, and distinctly falcate.

Two pale areas: one in front, another behind and below dorsal fin;

visible on swimming animal.
Beak short, sometimes brushed with white blaze.
May ride bow waves.
Distribution Newfoundland north in summer, Cape Cod north in

winter; common close to shore at Cape Cod in spring.

White-beaked dolphin

Lagenorhynchus albirostris
p. 126

Body to 12 feet (3.7 m) long.

Body dark gray on back; lighter gray on sides; belly white to pink.

Snout robust and short.

Dorsal fin tall; back curved.

Ride bow waves; often turn head downwards or to the sides as

they do so.
Distribution temperate and tropical, usually within 20 miles of

shore (often in bays, lagoons, and larger rivers) but extending off

the continental shelves.

Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin

Tursiops truncatus
p. 128

Body to approximately 5.6 feet (1.7 m) long.
Body steel blue to dark brown on back; white on belly.
Dorsal fin nearly triangular; curves only slightly backward.
Distribution in Lake Maracaibo and the rivers of Guiana and in the

near shore coastal waters of northeastern portion of South

America.

Guiana dolphin

SotaMa guianensis
p. 132

Body to about 8 feet (2.4 m) long.

Body dark gray to purplish gray on back with white or pink blotches

on sides; belly white.
Body frequently shows numerous white scars.
Head tapers gradually; beak long and slender; no clear separation of

beak from forehead.
May ride bow waves.
Distribution in deep tropical waters.

Rough-toothed dolphin

Steno bredanensis
p. 135

Body to 8-9 feet (2.4-2.7 m) long.

Body black with white belly patch which may extend up sides in

area of anus.
Head rounded; no beak; lips white; lower jaw and chin may be

white.
Dorsal fin to 15 inches (38 cm) tall, falcate; located near midpoint

of back.
Distribution tropical and subtropical.

Pygmy killer whale

Feresa attenuata
p. 138

Body to about 9 feet (2.7 m) long. Many-toothed blackfish

Body black on back; light gray on belly. „ i > ,

„ J , , u 1 J 1 • r u* Peponocephala electra
Head rounded; no beak; underslung jaw; lips white.

Dorsal fin to 10 inches (25.4 cm), tall, distinctly back curved. P- ^^^

Distribution tropical (not yet reported in western North Atlantic).

Body to about 11 feet (3.4 m) long. Pygmy sperm whale

Body dark steel gray on back; lighter gray on sides; pinkish to white k h

on belly (older animals speckled on belly). ^ ^

Head blunt; jaw underslung; false gills or bracket marks on side of p. 144

head. ~

Dorsal fin small; located in last one-third of body.
Has not been reported to ride bow waves.
Distribution in tropical and temperate waters.

Body to about 9 feet (2.7 m) long. D^arf sperm whale

Body dark steel gray on back; lighter gray on sides; pinkish to jCnn^in o,™„o

white on belly.
Head blunt; jaw underslung; false gills or bracket marks on side P- ^^°

of head.
Body has two small creases on throat.
Dorsal fin like that of Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin; located near

midpoint of back.
Has not been reported to ride bow waves.
Distribution poorly known; at least from Georgia to the tropical

seas.

Body to 5 feet (1.5 m) long. Harbor porpoise

Body dark brown above and white below; transition zone on sides p, ,

often speckled or streaked; ventral white extends high onto side

in front of dorsal fin. P- 1^0

Head rounded; beak small and indistinct.
Dorsal fin short and triangular.
Distribution in shallow waters from at least Delaware north;

generally found inshore; often in bays, river mouths and inlets.
Does not approach boats.

BLUE WHALE (B)

Balaenopteramusculus (Linnaeus 1758)

Other Common Names

Sulphur-bottom.

Description

Blue whales are the largest living mammals. Though
reports of maximum length and weight vary from one account
to another, Antarctic blue whales are known to have reached
lengths to 100 feet (30.5 m) and weights of over 150 tons
(136,363 kg]" before stocks were severely depleted by
whaling operations. North Atlantic blue whales may be
expected to reach lengths of 80-85 feet (24.4-25.9 m). In all
known populations of blue whales, females are slightly larger
than males of the same age.

Viewed from above, the blue whale's rostrum is broad,
flat, and nearly U-shaped (actually shaped like a Gothic arch,
slightly flattened on the tip), with a single ridge extending
from the raised area just in front of the blowholes towards but
not quite reaching the tip of the snout.

The dorsal fin is extremely small [to only 13 inches (33
cm)] and variable in shape from nearly triangular to
moderately falcate. In all cases, it is located so far back on the
animal's tail stock that it is seldom visible until the animal is
about to begin a dive.

Blue whales are light bluish gray overall, mottled with
gray or grayish white. Some animals may have yellowish or
mustard coloration, primarily on the belly, the result of the
accumulation of diatoms during long stays in the cooler
waters to the north. The undersides of the flippers are light
grayish blue to white.

The baleen plates are all black.

Natural History Notes

The blow or "spout' is tall, to perhaps 30 feet (9.1 m),
slender, vertical, and not bushy, as is the blow of humpback
whales, for instance.

Although the blowing and diving patterns of blue whales
may vary, depending on the speed of movement and the
activity of the whale when it is encountered, they may be
generally described as follows: If the animal is moving slowly,
the blowhole and part of the head may still be visible when the
dorsal fin breaks the surface, and the animal may settle
quietly into the water without exposing the last portion of the
tail stock or the tail flukes. If the animal is moving more
quickly, however, or is about to begin a long dive, the
blowhole disappears below the surface, a broad expanse of
the back is exposed and disappears, and the dorsal fin
emerges briefly just before the animal lifts its tail stock and
flukes slightly above the surface before slipping out of sight.

' The letter in parentheses indicates whether the species is a baleen (B)
or a toothed (T) whale.

'° The largest measured specimen was "just over" 100 feet (30.5 m) ; the
largest specimen weighed, the 150-ton individual noted above, was 89 feet
(27.1 m) long.

In this species it can be generally stated that the maximum
height of back in the area of the dorsal fin which is exposed
above the surface as the animal sounds is approximately four
times the height of the dorsal fin itself. The exposure of the
tail flukes is unlike that of the humpback whale (Fig. 39), the
right whale (Fig. 50), or the sperm whale (Fig. 57) in that
when beginning a long dive all these other species raise the
flukes high out of the water and usually descend at a steep
angle. Blue whales lift the flukes only slightly, if at all.

Blue whales are relatively shallow feeders, feeding as
they do almost exclusively on "krill" (small shrimplike
crustaceans), most of which are distributed in the surface
330 feet (100 m). Blue whales usually occur singly or in
pairs.

May Be Confused With

At sea, blue whales may be confused with fin whales
(p. 26) and though the two are sometimes difficult to
distinguish from a distance, the following key differences
permit identification at close range:

Blue Whale

Fin Whale

COLORATION

Mottled bluish
and below.

All black.

gray above Gray above, white below; fre-
quently grayish-white chev-
ron behind head, right lower
lip white.

BALEEN

Bluish gray with yellowish-
white strips; front fifth to
third of baleen on right side
all white.

HEAD

Broad and nearly U-shaped;
all dark.

Narrower, more V-shaped;
right lower lip white.

DORSAL FIN

To 13 inches (33 cm); triangu-
lar to moderately falcate; in
last third of back; visible well
after blow.

To 24 inches (61 cm); falcate;
located slightly more than a
third forward from tail
flukes; usually visible short-
ly after blow.

SURFACING AND PREPARING TO DIVE

Often shows head and blow-
holes; broad expanse of back
and much later, dorsal fin.

Usually rolls higher out of
water, particularly on long
dive; dorsal fin visible short-
ly after blow.

Figure 9. — Closeup views of swimming blue whales off British Columbia (top) and Baja California (bottom). In both photos note the broad rounded
appearance of the head and the single, prominent central head ridge. In the animal on the top note also the black baleen plates, barely visible at the
front of the slightly open mouth. In the animal on the bottom note the pattern of light grayish-white mottling along the back and the raised areas
around the blowholes. These features clearly mark these animals as blue whales. iPhotoi by R. M. GUmore [top] and K. C. Balcomb [bottom].)

-^2SB^Ki?'*'"SSiBr;.

J*!"'"feJm

-'•Si.

Figure 12. — A sequence showing fast-swimming blue
whales oH southern California. The animal rises rather
steeply to the suriace (a) , emits a tall, vertical blow (b, c),
shows its broad bluish back, mottled with grayish white,
and its small dorsal fin (d, e), and then dives out of sight
(I). When swimming in this manner, blue whales
sometimes raise their tail flukes slightly above the
surface before beginning their long dives (gl. {Photos
by J. F. Fish [a-f] and K. C. Balcomb [g].)

Figure 13. — Two views of blue whales on the ramps of whaling stations in Japan itop) and at Hermitage Bay, Newfoundland (bottom). Note the broad
rounded appearance of the head, the single central head ridge, and the dark bluish-gray coloration, interrupted only by mottlings of grayish white. In the
animal on the bottom note the all-black baleen plates, which are very broad relative to their length. (Photos by Japanese Whalet Research Institute,
courtesy of H. Omura ltop\; and F. W. True, courtesy of U.S. National Museum [bottom].)

the species to continue their increase, barring renewed
exploitation.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded blue whales can be readily identified by 1) the
large body size (to 85 feet (25.9 m]); 2) the broad flat head; 3)

the all black baleen plates (270-395 in number), which are
usually barely more than twice as long as they are wide; and
4) the 55-88 ventral grooves extending to the navel or beyond
(Table 2).

Depending on the state of decay and the position of the
stranded specimen, any of the body characteristics described
for living animals may also be used to positively identify the
specimen.

Figure 14. - Dead blue whales, harpooned and afloat off the stern of a factory ship in the Antarctic (top), and on the deck of a whaUng station in western
Canada (bottom). In both, note the numerous ventral grooves (from 55 to 85 or more) extending to the region of the navel and sometimes beyond, and the
light coloration of the undersides of the flippers. Even though grooves are often present above the flippers, and occasionally even on the side of the head,
counts of ventral grooves are usually made between the flippers. {Pkotoa by Japanese Whales Research Institute, courtesy ofH. Omura [top]; ondG. C
Pike, courtesy of I. MacAslde [bottom].)

FIN WHALE (B)

Balaenopteraphysalus (Linnaeus 1758)

Other Common Names

Finback whale, finner, razorback, common rorqual.

Description

Fin whales have been reported to reach 79 feet (24 m).
Females are slightly larger than males of the same age.

The back is distinctly ridged towards the tail, prompting
the common name "razorback" whale.

The rostrum is narrower and more V-shaped than that of
the blue whale and has the same sort of single distinctive head
ridge. The top of the head is flat, though slightly less than
that of the blue whale.

The dorsal fin is up to 24 inches (61 cm) tall; angled less
than 40° on the forward margin, located slightly more than
one-third forward from the tail, and appears on the surface
shortly after the blow.

All individuals are dark gray to brownish black on the
back and sides with none of the mottling present on blue
whales and are rarely as heavily scarred as sei whales. Along
the back, just behind the head, there is a grayish-white
chevron, with the apex along the midline of the back and the
arms of the chevron oriented posteriorly, which is sometimes
distinctive and may be visible as the animals surface to
breathe. The undersides, including the undersides of the
flukes and flippers, are white. On the head, the dark
coloration is markedly asymmetrical, reaching farther down
on the left than on the right side. The right lower lip,
including the mouth cavity, and the right front baleen
(approximately one-fifth to one-third) are yellowish white.
Occasionally the right upper lip is also white. The remainder
of the plates on the right side and all those on the left side are
striped with alternate bands of yellowish white and bluish
gray. The fringes of the plates are brownish gray to grayish
white.

Natural History Notes

Fin whales are one of the most common baleen whale spe-
cies in the world and constitute a major portion of the whaling
catch. They are reportedly one of the fastest of the big whales
(sei whales may be slightly faster) possibly reaching burst
speeds in excess of 20 knots, and were not an important com-
mercial species until the comparatively recent development of
fast catcher boats and the depletion of blue whale stocks.

A fin whale's blow can be from 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to 6.1 m)
tall and has been described as an inverted cone or an
elongated ellipse.

Fin whales dive to at least 755 feet (230. 1 m). This depth is
probably deeper than that of either blue or sei whales, a
factor usually reflected in differences among the surfacing,
blowing, and diving characteristics of these three species.
When they are moving leisurely at the surface, fin whales
expose the dorsal fin shortly after the appearance of the
blowholes, slightly later than that of the sei whales. When
they are surfacing from a deeper dive, however, they surface
at a steeper angle, blow, submerge the blowholes, and then

arch the back and dorsal fin high into the air before beginning
another long dive. In this species it can be generally stated
that the maximum amount of the back in the area of the dorsal
fin which is exposed above the surface as the animal sounds is
approximately 2 times the height of the dorsal fin. Fin whales
do not show their tail flukes when beginning a dive.

Unlike blue or sei whales, fin whales do breach on
occasion. When they do leap clear of the water, fin whales
usually reenter with a resounding splash, like that made by
humpback and right whales and not smoothly, head first, as
minke whales often do.

Fin whales are sometimes found singly or in pairs but
more often occur in pods of six or seven individuals and many
pods consisting of as many as 50 animals may be concentrated
in a small area.

Fin whales calve and breed in winter, mostly in temperate
waters.

Atlantic fin whales eat a wide variety of foods, including
krill, capelin, squid, herring, and lanternfish.

May Be Confused With

Fin whales may be confused with blue whales, sei whales,
and, in the southernmost portion of their range, with Bryde's
whales. They may be distinguished from the blue whales by
differences in overall coloration, coloration and shape of the
head, and the size, position, and time of appearance of the
dorsal fin at the surface (see p. 19). After close examination
they may be distinguished from Bryde's whales by the
presence of three ridges along the head (of the Bryde's whale)
and by the smaller, more sharply pointed falcate dorsal fin of
the Bryde's whale (see Fig. 31). They may be distinguished
from sei whales in the following similar ways:

Fin Whale

Sei Whale

DORSAL FIN

Slightly falcate, forms angle
of less than 40° with back
slightly more than one-third
forward from tail.

Sharply pointed and falcate;
forms angle of greater than
40° with back well more than
one-third forward from tail.

SURFACING BEHAVIOR

Usually rise obliquely so top
of head breaks surface first;
after blowing, animal arches
its back and rolls forward
exposing the dorsal fin on the
long dive; on sounding, the
maximum amount of back in
the area of the dorsal fin
which is exposed is approxi-
mately 2 times the height of
dorsal fin.

Primarily skimmer feeders;
usually rise to surface at
shallow angle so that dorsal
fin and head are visible
almost simultaneously; when
starting the long dive does
not usually arch the back as
much as the fin whale; on
sounding, the maximum
amount of back in the area of
the dorsal fin which is
exposed is approximately 1
times the height of the dorsal
fin.

BLOW

Tall (to 20 feet (6.1 m]);
inverted cone (point down)
or elongated ellipse.

Similar shape but smaller—
rarely taller than 10-15 feet
(3.1-4.6 m).

COLOR OF LOWER LIP
White on right, gray on left. Gray.

BALEEN PLATES

DIVING

Dive for 5-15 (usually 6-7)
min; blow 3-7 times or more
at intervals of up to several
minutes, then dive again.

Dive for 3-10 min; usually
blow at even intervals over
long periods of time; often
visible just below the sur-
face, even on longer dives.

Ash black with a blue tinge
and fine grayish bristles.

COLOR OF UNDERSIDES

White higher up on right
than on left side.

Mostly gray; irregular whit-
ish area on belly.

Right one-fifth to one-third
in front white; all others
alternate bands of yellowish
white and bluish gray; bris-
tles grayish white.

Distribution

Fin whales are probably the most numerous and widely
distributed large whale species in the western North
Atlantic.

y J'

Figure 15. —The heads of fin whales surfacing to breathe off Japan and in the northern North Atlantic ( inse tl . When they can be approached from the right
side, fin whales can be positively distinguished from the other large balaenopterine species by the white coloration of the right lower lip and the flat, narrow
head. Note also the single central head ridge. [J>hotoi by Japaneie Whales Research Institute, courtesy of H. Omura, and K. C. BaUomb [inset].)

-••J«!^

Figure 16. — A gmall group of fin whales off British Columbia. Fin whales may be found in groups of up to six or seven individuals and these groups may

congregate in feedinggrounds. {Photo by G. C. Pike, courtesy of L MacAalde.)

Figure 17.— The back ol a harpooned fin whale in the eastern North Pacific (left) and in the North Atlantic (right). In both note the light grayish-white
chevrons just behind the head. These chevrons are not usually very distinctive in North Atlantic fin whales. In the animal in the left photo note also the
prominent ridge along the back behind the dorsal fin— a characteristic which prompted the common name "razorback." {Photos courtesy of Los

Angeles Examiner [left] and K. C. Balcomb [right]. )

Figure 19. — As they begin a long dive, fin whales frequently arch the tail
stock high into the air, exposing the dorsal fin. Even on a long dive,
however, this species is not known to throw its tail flukes high into the
air or even to raise them slightly, as blue whales sometimes do when
beginning a long dive. {Photo from off Virgima by J. G. Mead. )

Fin whales summer from below the latitude of Cape Cod,
Mass., north to the Arctic Circle. (They are frequently seen
between New York and Bermuda this time of year.) Within
this zone they may sometimes be seen very close to shore and
appear to be concentrated between shore and the
1,000-fathom curve from at least lat. 41°20' to 57°00'N. In
recent years they have been reported in relatively large
numbers in the Gulf of Maine from March through June, off
Newfoundland as early as June but increasing to August, and
entering Davis Straits and beyond in substantial numbers in
midsummer to late summer. There is some evidence that the
animals venturing farthest north are the largest individuals
of the species. Movements of the population(s) southward
have usually begun by October, though some fin whales
sometimes remain in the northern seas sufficiently long to
become trapped in the ice and killed.

During winter the range of fin whales spreads out from
the advancing ice southward, reaching at least to the coast of
Florida, into the Gulf of Mexico, and to the Greater Antilles,
though fin whales are not at all common in tropical waters.
During the winter many fin whales move into offshore

waters. Northward migrations probably begin in midspring.

Fin whales may be found in Cape Cod waters all year
long.

There may be two or possibly three separate stocks of fin
whales in the western North Atlantic, one more northern
cold-adapted stock and another more southern stock. The
ranges of the two stocks appear to overlap, such that the
winter range of the northern stock probably becomes the
spring and summer range of the more southern stock. The
third stock may consist of an isolated population in the
northern Gulf of Mexico.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded fin whales may be most readily identified by 1)
the yellowish-white coloration of the right front baleen and
the right white lower lip; 2) the numerous baleen plates
(262-473 in number); 3) the numerous ventral grooves (56-100
in number) extending to the navel and beyond (Table 2); and
4) the broad, flat sharply pointed head with only a single head
ridge.

lt!^r« *'~^"'^r"*i',° "*"!.*.' "'T ?* 1'*"'' ""^ '"'""'' *''*° *''* ^heellike silhouette of the back, and then the dorsal fin. Note that in this species the
S^Zt" travel"; '"''"'"'''''"' "'^*' ""' "^^^^

"•"^^JiiMBMliM^.

Figure 20. — Probably a fin whale (perhaps a
Bryde's whale) breaching in the eastern tropical
Pacific. This type of behavior has been described
for humpback, minke, and fin whales but is far more
common for the first two species. Breaching fin
whales often reenter the water with a resounding
splash, much like humpback whales, but sometimes
smoothly, head first, as minkes sometimes
do. (Photo by K. D. Sexton, courtesy of National
Marine Fisheries Service. )

Figure 21 . — A head-on view of a fin whale stranded
at Ormond Beach, Fla. Note the flat narrow
appearance of the head and the single, central head
ridge. {Photo by F. Essapian, courtesy of Marine-
land of Florida.)

Fi^re 22. — Id this partly flensed fin whale, at Blanford, Nova Scotia, note the white lower lip and the white baleen in the right front. The inset photo shows
the right upper jaw of a fin whale with the baleen intact. {Photos by H. E. Wmn, and from the North Pacific by Japanese Whales Research Institute,
courtesy of H. Omura [inset].)

v*».

Figure 23. — A fin whale on the ramp of the whaUng station also at Blanford, Nova Scotia. Note the ventral grooves, 56 to 100 and extending at

least to the navel. iPhoto by L. Rigley.)

SEI WHALE (B)

Balaenoptera horealis Lesson 1828

Other Common Names

Pollack whale, sardine whale, Rudolphi's rorqual.

Description

Sei (pronounced "say") whales have been reported to
reach 62 feet (19 m).

The snout is less acutely pointed than that of the fin whale
but when viewed from the side appears slightly arched. In
general, the head is intermediate in shape between that of the
blue whale and that of the fin whale. The dorsal fin, which is
from 10 to 24 inches (25.4 to 61 cm) tall and strongly falcate in
adult animals, is located about two-thirds of the way back on
the back, farther forward than that of the blue or fin whales.
Sei whales are dark steel gray on the back and sides, and on
the posterior portion of the ventral surface. The body often
has a galvanized appearance due to scars possibly resulting
from lamprey bites inflicted during migrations into warmer
waters. These scars may be dark gray to almost white in
color. On the belly there is a region of grayish white that is
confined to the area of the ventral grooves. Neither the
flippers nor the tail flukes are white underneath. The right
lower lip and the mouth cavity, unlike those of the fin whale,
are uniformly gray. The baleen plates are uniformly grayish
black with fine grayish-white fringes. (A small number of sei
whales have been noted to have a few half- white plates near
the front of the mouth, a feature which might result in their
confusion with fin whales.)

Natural History Notes

The blow of sei whales is an inverted cone rarely taller
than 15 feet (4.6 m).

Sei whales are generally skimmer feeders and do not
usually dive very deeply. For that reason they usually surface
at a shallower angle than fin whales. The head rarely
emerges at a steep angle (except when the whales are
chased). Instead, the blowholes and a major portion of the
back, including the dorsal fin, become visible almost
simultaneously and remain visible for relatively long periods
of time. In this species it can be generally stated that the
amount of the back in the area of the dorsal fin which is
exposed above the surface as the animal sounds is
approximately the same height as the dorsal fin. When they
begin another dive, sei whales do not arch the tail stock or
flukes high. Instead, they normally submerge by slipping
quietly below the surface, often remaining in view only a few
feet down and leaving a series of tracks or swirls on the
surface as they move their tail flukes. When they are feeding
in this manner, sei whales may exhibit a highly regular
blowing and diving pattern over long periods of time.

Sei whales usually travel in groups of from two to five
individuals, though they may concentrate in large numbers
on the feeding grounds.

In the northern portion of their range, sei whales feed on
copepods. Throughout the remainder of the range, however,
their food is more varied and also includes krill and a variety

of small schooling fishes. The species derived its common
name, in fact, from its frequent occurrence with or near sei
fish.

May Be Confused With

The sei whale's smaller size and decidedly taller, more
falcate dorsal fin located well more than one-third forward
from the tail should prevent confusion with the blue whale. At
a distance, however, sei whales are difficult to distinguish
from either fin whales or Bryde's whales. The primary clues
for distinguishing them from fins are the differences in
swimming, blowing, and diving characteristics tabularized in
detail on p. 26 and the asymmetrical coloration of the fin
whale.

Sei whales may be distinguished from Bryde's whales only
upon close examination. The dorsal fin of Bryde's whales is
small, to 18 inches (45.7 cm), sharply pointed, and often worn
on the rear margin. If close examination is possible, the sei
whale will be seen to have only a single head ridge. Bryde's
whales have two additional ridges— one on each side of the
main ridge. Bryde's whales are primarily fish feeders and
their diving behavior more closely resembles that of a fin
whale than that of a sei whale. (See p. 37).

Distribution

The distribution and migrations of the sei whale during
most of the year are rather poorly known. The species is
known to avoid the colder regions near the pack ice and to
range from Iceland south to the northeast Venezuelan coast
and the northeast and southwest Gulf of Mexico. There are
also records from Cuba and the Virgin Islands. Along the
northeast United States and eastern Canadian coasts, where
most research on sei whales has been conducted, the species
migrates from New England through the Blanford, Nova
Scotia area in June and July, is found in small numbers off
eastern Newfoundland in August and September (abundant
in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland in August), and continues
northward to the Davis Straits in September and October.
An offshore stock may be found year-round in the Labrador
Sea. The summer range (May to September or October)
extends from New England to southern Arctic waters.
Though some individuals remain behind through November,
the southward movement of the bulk of the population
presumably begins in October. In general, sei whales do not
venture as far north as fin whales but may have a greater
tendency to enter tropical waters.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded sei whales are most likely to be confused with fin
whales or Bryde's whales. The three head ridges of the
Bryde's whale (sei whales have only one) assist in distinguish-
ing sei whales from Bryde's whales. They may be distin-
guished from fin whales and all other rorquals by the follow-
ing characteristics: 1) The color of the baleen plates— uni-
formly ash black with a blue tinge and fine white bristles

(Table 2). 2) The density of bristles on the plates— sei whales
have from 35 to 60 baleen fringes per centimeter; all other
rorquals have far fewer (less than 35). 3) The relative lengths
of the ventral grooves— the grooves of sei whales end well
before the navel; those of blue, fin, and Bryde's whales

extend at least to the navel. 4) The relatively small numbers
of ventral grooves (38-56)— both blue and fin whales have
more; Bryde's whales have approximately the same number.
If the animal is not in an advanced state of decomposition,
the region of white coloration of the belly may also be visible.

Figure 24.— The head of a sei whale is intermediate in shape between that of the blue whale and that of the fin whale. When
viewed from the side it is slightly arched. Note the single central head ridge, from just in front of the blowholes to near the tip of
the snout. Bryde's whales, with which sei whales are most likely to be confused in the tropical and subtropical portions of their
range, have two auxiliary ridges, one on each side of the top of the head, in addition to this main central ridge. (Photo from the
North Pacific by Japanese Whalei Research Institute, courtesy of H. Omura.)

Figure 25. — Sei whales are dark gray on the right lower lip. They can be distinguished from fin whales,
which have a white right lower Up, by approaching them from the right side. {Photo from the North
Pacific by Japanese Whales Research Institute, courtesy of H. Omuro.)

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Figure 27. — A freshly dead gei whale from the Pacific (top) and a stranded specimen in an advanced stage of decomposition at Cape Island, S.C. (bottom
and inset). Note that even though the distinctive coloration of the fresh specimen has faded on the rotting specimen, the numbers and lengths of the
ventral grooves (38 to 56 in number and stopping well short of the navel) still permit the specimen to be distinguished from fin, blue, and Bryde's whales,
in all of which the grooves extend at least to the navel. {Photos by Japanete Whales Research Institute, courtesy of H. Omura [top]; and J. G.

Mead [bottom and inset].)

rS,^*^fc*:l

Figure 28. — Dorsal view of a sei whale on the deck of a whaUng
ship in the North Pacific. Note the numerous scars on the body and
the otherwise dark gray coloration of the back. {Photo by
Japanese Whales Research Irutitute, courtesy of H. Omura. )

Figure29.— The right upper jaw of the sei whale stranded at Cape
Island. S.C. The baleen plates, here partly buried in the sand,
numbering from 318 to 340 per side and uniform dark gray with
fine Ughter gray bristles, continue to serve as identifying
characteristics even on a badly decomposed specimen. [Photo by
J. G. Mead.)

BRYDE'S WHALE (B)

Balaenoptera edeni Anderson 1879

Other Common Names

None known.
Description

Bryde's whales reach a maximum length of approximately
46 feet (14 m). They closely resemble sei whales in external
appearance. At a distance, the head of this species is similar
in profile and general appearance to that of the sei whale. The
most distinctive field characteristic of the species, however,
is the presence of three ridges along the head anterior to the
blowhole. In addition to the medial ridge characteristic of all
the other balaenopterid species, Bryde's whales have two
secondary ridges on the top of the head — one along each side
even with the blowhole running forward towards the tip of
the snout. If they can be examined at close range, Bryde's
whales can be positively identified by this character alone.

The dorsal fin of Bryde's whales is up to 18 inches (45.7 cm)
tall, extremely falcate, pointed on the tip, located well more
than one-third forward from the tail, and is often irregularly
notched or frayed on the rear margin from unknown causes.
Bryde's whales are dark gray overall, though some
individuals, like some minke whales, have a small region of
g^ay on each side just forward of the dorsal fin.

Natural History Notes

Bryde's whales, like minke whales, reportedly often
approach close to vessels as if curious about them. During this
time they may be examined carefully and their identifying
characteristics seen.

Though euphausiids may be an important food for this
species in limited areas, Bryde's whales often feed on
schooling fish (including pilchards, anchovies, herring, and
mackerel). This food preference is reflected in the diving
behavior of the species. Bryde's whales are not "skimmer"
feeders; they are deeper divers. When they surface to
breathe, they often rise more steeply to the surface, exposing
much of the head, roll the body sharply, and hump up the tail
stock before beginning another dive. In this species, as in the
fin whale, it can be generally stated that the amount of the
back which is exposed above the surface as the animal sounds
is approximately twice the height of the dorsal fin. They
apparently do not raise the tail flukes when beginning a dive.

May Be Confused With

At sea Bryde's whales may be confused with sei whales,
fin whales, and perhaps minke whales.

They may be most readily distinguished from sei whales
by the characteristics discussed on p. 32 and by differences in

diving behavior. The shallow- feeding sei whales surface and
blow at regular intervals over long periods of time. Bryde's
whales are deeper divers, less likely to surface, and blow at
evenly spaced intervals. If they are seen only briefly or at a
distance, however, the two species may be impossible to,
differentiate.

During the winter months, when fin whales may venture
into tropical waters, they may also be confused with Bryde's
whales. But fin whales seldom exhibit curiosity about boats.
In addition, the dorsal fin of the fin whale is larger, is located
farther back on the back than that of Bryde's whale, and does
not become visible as soon after the blow. It is also less likely
to be worn on the rear margin than that of a Bryde's whale.

The head of the fin whale is more acutely pointed.
Furthermore, the right lower lip and the right front baleen of
the fin whale are white. The baleen and the right lower lip of
Bryde's whales are dark gray. If the animals can be
approached closely from the right side, positive identification
is possible using these differences in color.

Like Bryde's whales, minke whales often approach close
to vessels. But minke whales have an acutely pointed snout, a
single head ridge, and a white band on each flipper. Further,
minke whales rarely reach 30 feet (9. 1 m) in maximum length.

Distribution

The distribution of Bryde's whales is rather poorly
known, no doubt in part, because the species is difficult to
positively identify at sea, and records of its occurrence may
have often been confused with those of sei whales, fin whales,
or minke whales. From stranded animals and confirmed
sightings at sea, the species appears to be found primarily
near shore in areas of high productivity in tropical or
subtropical waters, though it ventures into warmer
temperate waters as well. It has been reported from Virginia
south into the northeast Gulf of Mexico and the southeast
Caribbean, and southern West Indies (Curacao and Granada).
To date no migration has been described for the species.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded Bryde's whales can be positively identified by
the three ridges along the top of the head from the area of the
blowhole to the tip of the snout. All other species of
balaenopterid whales, except humpback whales have but a
single ridge. If the head of a stranded specimen is buried in
sand, is decomposed beyond recognition, or is otherwise
inaccessible for identification, Bryde's whales can still be
distinguished from sei whales by differences in the relative
lengths of the ventral grooves (Table 2) and from both the fin
whale and the sei whale by differences in the characteristics
of the baleen plates (Table 2).

Figure 30. —On the head of this Bryde's whale off La Jolla, Calif, two of the three head ridges characteristic of the species, the main ridge and the left
auxiliary ridge, are clearly visible. These ridges permit this animal to be positively identified as a Bryde's whale. {Photo by F. Morejohn.)

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if .t tA

Figure 31. -Bryde's whales in the Gulf of CaUfornia and north of Hawaii (inset). In both, note the tall, sickle-shaped appearance of the dorsal fin, much like
that of the sei whale. In the animal in the larger photo note the ragged rear margin of the dorsal fin, a frequently observed characteristic in Bryde's whales.
In the animal on the left note also the region of gray on the sides m front of the dorsal fin. (Photo» by W. C. Cummings and S. Okrumi [intet]. )

■f H

Figure 32. -Stranded Bryde's whales at Walnut Point, Va. (top) and Panacea. Fla., Gulf of Mexico (bottom). In both animalB note the head shape similar to
that of the sei whale, and the three distinct head ridges. In the animal on the bottom, note that the two outermost ridges have their origin in grooves beside
the blowholes. In the animal on the top, note also the baleen plates, up toat least 300 per side and dark gray with coarse gray bristles. There is frequently a
rather wide interval at the front of the mouth between the left and right rows of baleen. {Photos by U.S. National Mutevm, courtesy of J. G. Mead Hop]
and M. B. Rank, courtesy of Wide World Photos [bottom]. )

HUMPBACK WHALE (B)

Megapteranovaeangliae (Borowski 1781)

Other Common Names

Humpbacked whale, bunch, hump whale, or hunchbacked
whale.

Description

Humpback whales reach a length of 53 feet (16.2 m).

The body is robust, narrowing rapidly on the tail stock.
The head is quite broad and rounded, somewhat like that of
the blue whale. The head ridge characteristic of other
balaenopterid species is indistinct and is replaced in
prominence by a string of fleshy "knobs" or protuberances,
many more of which are randomly distributed on the top of
the head and on the lower jaw. There is a distinctive rounded
projection near the tip of the lower jaw. Humpback whales
carry many barnacles and whale lice. The baleen plates are all
black with black or olive-black bristles.

The flippers are very long (nearly a third as long as the
body), are scalloped on at least the leading edge, and are
nearly all white.

The dorsal fin, located slightly more than two-thirds of the
way back on the back in approximately the same position as
that of the fin whale, is small and varies in size and shape from
a small, triangular nubbin to a more substantial, sharply
falcate fin. The dorsal fin frequently includes a step or hump,
which is quite distinct when the animal arches its back to
begin a dive and from which the species derives its common
name.

Humpback whales are basically black in color with a white
region of varying size on the belly, which upon close
examination may often be seen to be crosshatched with thin
dark lines; the flippers and the undersides of the flukes also
are white.

Natural History Notes

The blow of humpback whales is from 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to
3.1 m) tall and has been described as balloon-shaped. It is
wide relative to its height. Feeding humpback whales
habitually blow 4-8 times at intervals of 15-30 s after a long
dive. In the tropics they habitually blow 2-4 times in
succession when beginning a long dive. In diving, humpback
whales throw the tail flukes high into the air, exposing the
sometimes white undersurface and the rippled rear margin.

Humpback whales often leap clear of the water, raise a
flipper, and slap it against the water, or "lobtail," raising the
tail high into the air and bringing it crashing back to the water
in a loud report. Often, particularly when they are
encountered on their tropical breeding grounds, humpback
whales will be found lying on their sides with a long flipper in
the air.

Humpback whales feed on krill and schooling fish.

May Be Confused With

From a distance humpback whales may be confused with
any of the other large balaenopterid (rorqual) whales— blue.

fin, sei, or Bryde's. Although it is highly variable, the dorsal
fin most closely resembles that of the blue whale. However, it
is located farther forward on the back. Humpback whales
distinguish themselves from the remainder of the rorquals by
their habit of raising the flukes high into the air when starting
a long dive. (In very shallow water they may not raise the
flukes at all.) The only other rorqual to do so — the blue
whale — raises the flukes slightly or not at all.

Under some conditions humpback whales may be
confused with sperm whales at a distance. When arching the
back to begin a dive, both may show a distinct hump. Both
species frequently raise their flukes nearly vertically when
beginning a long dive but differ in several ways. The flukes of
humpback whales show varying amounts of white beneath,
are pointed on the tips, and are distinctly concaved and
irregularly rippled on the rear margin. Those of sperm
whales are all dark and more flattened and even along the
rear margin. Further the species can be distinguished in the
following ways:

Humpback Whale

Sperm Whale

BLOW

Projects upwards from cen-
ter of head. Usually blows
4-8 times (2-4 times in
tropics) before diving.

Projects obliquely forward
from left side of tip of snout.
Usually blows many times
(20-50 or more) beforediving.

Raised area around blow
holes, knobs on upper sur
face.

HEAD

Blunted, long, smooth.

FLUKES

Often white underneath. Smooth,
concaved and scalloped on margin,
rear margin, deeply notched.

FLIPPERS

all black on rear

Extremely long (to one-third
of body), white and scalloped
on leading edge.

Short; all black.

DORSAL FIN (OR HUMP)

Triangular to falcate fin,
including a step or hump in
front of the dorsal fin;
smooth.

Rounded hump, two-thirds
back on back followed by
knuckles or crenulations.

When they can be examined at close range, humpback
whales can be easily distinguished from all other large whale
species with a dorsal fin by the tuberosities or knobs on the
head, by the long white flippers scalloped on the leading edge,
by the small distinctive dorsal fin, and by their distinctive tail
flukes.

•^ vB^a^^o.--

Figure33. — Three views of blowing humpback whales. The blow of this species is usually less than 10 feet (3.1 m) tall, wider than it is high, and has been
described as balloon-shaped. In the photo on the top, the wind has ab-eady begun to distort the blow. In the photo on the bottom, two separate columns are
visible. All baleen whales have a bipartite blowhole, and if an observer is directly behind or in front of either the right whale or the humpback whale under
ideal wind conditions, the blows of these two species may appear as two distinct spouts. {Photos from West Indies by H. E. Winn [top and middle] and
from off St. Augustine, Fla. by D. K. Caldwell [bottom].)

Figure 34. — Head views of surfacing humpback whales. Note the rather broad
rounded appearance of the top of the head and the small head ridge, which extends
from just in front of the blowholes to near the tip of the snout. In humpback whales
the single central head ridge characteristic of most balaenopterid species is replaced
in prominence by a series of knobs, some of which are oriented along the same line as
the head ridge. On the animal in the inset photo note also the characteristic rounded
projection below the tip of the lower jaw, heavily encrusted with barnacles. (PAotOt
from off St. Aiiguitme, Flo. by D. K. Caldwell and from Weit Indies by H. E. Wirni
[inset]. )

Figure 35. — A mother humpback whale with her newborn calf off the northern West Indies. Newborn humpback whales are from 12 to 15 feet (3.7 to 4.6 ml
long and are colored like the adults. Note the mother's long white pectoral flipper, clearly visible below the surface. {Photo by H. E. Winn. )

Figure 36.— Humpback whales fall back into the water after breaching. Note the long flippers, distinctly scalloped on the leading edge. In the
animal on the top, note also the knobs on the head, visible in profile, the cluster of barnacles located on the rounded projection below the tip of the lower
jaw, and the throat grooves. iPkotoi off Baja CaHforma by K. C. Balcomb [top] and off Bermuda by C. Leventon [bottom].)

Distribution

Stranded Specimens

In the western North Atlantic, humpback whales are
widely distributed from north of Iceland, Disko Bay and west
of Greenland, south to Venezuela and around the tropical
islandsof the West Indies. They have been reported from the
central and eastern Gulf of Mexico. Summer ranges extend at
least from New England north to the pack ice, and feeding
concentrations may be found in any portion of this region.
During winter, humpback whales migrate southward to the
shallow borderlands of Bermuda, to the Bahamas, and to the
West Indies to calve and mate.

The most distinctive features of stranded humpback
whales are 1) the ventral grooves, 14-22 in number, very wide
and extending to the navel; 2) the tuberosities of the snout
and lower jaw, often the sites of numerous barnacle colonies;
3) the long flippers (to nearly a third of the total body length);
and 4) the distinctive rounded projection near the tip of the
lower jaw.

If these characteristics are not sufficiently clear, the
species may be identifiable by the characteristics of the
baleen plates (Table 2).

Figure 37. —Often, particularly on their tropical breeding grounds, humpback whales lie on their sides at the surface, the long white pectoral fUpper in the
air. Note the pronounced scalloping on the leading edge. {PhotoinearWe$tIndiei by C. McCann[top]andH. E. Winn [bottom].)

3flfeai^

Figure 38. — A series showing the extreme variability in dorsal fin shapes of humpback whales: (a) a small ridge, (b) sUghtly falcate, (cl triangular with a
pronounced hump, (d) slightly rounded, (e) distinctly rounded, and (f) taller and more distinctly falcate. {Photos from northern West Indies by H.
E. Winn [a, c, e\ and C. McCann [b]; off Baja CaUfomia by K. C. Balcomb |<fl; and off St. Augmtine, Fla. by D. K. CaUweli \f\.)

Figure 39. —The humpback whale is the only large whale species with a distinct dorsal fin which regularly raises its tail flukes when beginning a long div;.
When it does so, the scalloped trailing edge is often visible (f , g, h). When the diving whale is seen from the rear, the varying degree of white coloration on
the undersides of the flukes aids in identification ( h ) . (Photos from, northern North A tlantic by K. C. Balcomb [a-f], from West Indies by C. McCann
[g], and from off Massachusetts by W. A. Watkins [A].)

Figure 40. — DetaQ of the head of a humpback whale harpooned off Japan. Note the knobs along; the top of the head and on the lower jaw, the rounded
projection near the tip of the lower jaw and the wide ventral grooves. The large mass of tissue to the left of the animal is its tongue . In the inset photo from a
Canadian whaUng station, note the baleen plates, less than 3 feet (0.9 m) long and dark oUve green to black in color. {Photos by Japanese Whales Research
Institute, courtesy of H. Omura; and J. G. Mead [inset]. )

Figure 41 . — A humpback whale on the deck of a whaUng station in western Canada. All of the species' most distinctive characteristics are evident in this
photograph: 11) the hump and the dorsal fin; (2) the knobs on the top of the snout; and (3) the long flipper, with numerous barnacles attached to its
leading edge. (Photo by G. C. Pike, courtesy of I. MacAskie.)

Figure 42. — North Atlantic humpback whales have from 14 to 20 broad, widely spaced ventral grooves which extend about to the navel. Those grooves
remain good diagnostic characters for considerable periods after the animal's death, as evidenced in the freshly killed specimen from Newfoundland (top)
and the badly decomposed stranded animal from New Jersey (bottom). (Photos from U.S. National Museum, courtesy of J. G. Mead.)

BOWHEAD WHALE (B)

Balae-immysticetus Linnaeus 1758

Other Common Names

Greenland whale, Arctic right whale, great polar whale.

Description

Bowhead whales, so-called because of the high-arching
jaws and the resultant contour of the head, reach a maximum
length of about65feet(19.8m). They are extremely robust in
form.

When viewed from the side, some swimming bowhead
whales show two characteristic curves to the back: the first
extends from the tip of the snout to just behind the blowholes;
the second, encompassing the entire back, begins just behind
the head and extends all the way to the tail. This character
may be present only in adult animals and may be more
pronounced in males. Younger animals, particularly females,
are often stubbier and somewhat barrel-shaped behind the
head. In all animals the back is smooth, lacking even a trace of
a dorsal fin.

The head of the bowhead whale is smooth, black, and
without the bonnet and the "rock-garden," the colorful
clusters of callosities characteristic of the black right whale.
The blowholes are widely separated, and the blow emanating
from them projects upward as two separate, distinct spouts.
Though two separate columns sometimes may be visible
under windless conditions in the blows of most mysticetes,
this feature is exaggerated and is most characteristic in the
bowhead and right whales.

Bowhead whales are black overall, except for a white
"vest" of uneven coloration on the chin. Within that vest, near
the sides of the white zone, there may be a series of grayish
black to black spots, which on some animals have been likened
to a string of beads. The vest is clearly visible when a
surfacing animal is viewed from the front or the side or when
the animals hang vertically in the water with the head on the
surface and the tail flukes down, as they do during periods of
early spring mating.

Natural History Notes

Bowhead whales are ususally found singly or in groups of
up to three animals, though fall concentrations may include
up to 50 animals.

Bowhead whales sometimes breach, throwing most of the
body clear of the surface and reentering with a resounding
splash.

May Be Confused With

Bowhead whales are the only species of large whales
found routinely in Arctic waters. Though other species,
including some of the balaenopterid whales and the right
whale, may venture north as far as the southern limits of the
bowhead whale and beyond, they usually do so in the spring

and summer, at a time when the bowhead whales are farther
to the north. Evenif they are encountered together, bowhead
whales can be distinguished from all the balaenopterid whales
by the absence of a dorsal fin. Bowhead whales have neither a
fin nor the slightest trace of a dorsal fin or ridge, while all the
balaenopterids have a dorsal fin; and their back is extremely
smooth, like that of the right whale. The bowhead and right
whales may be readily distinguished from one another by the
characters listed below for stranded specimens.

Distribution

Though bowhead whales in the western North Atlantic
were once distributed from Arctic waters, from the edge of
the ice, south as far as the Strait of Belle Isle and the St.
Lawrence River in such abundance that they were once
referred to simply as "the whale," overwhaling through the
19th century until as recently as 1911 has severely reduced
their numbers and restricted their modern range. Today in
addition to the more abundant populations of the Bering,
Beaufort, and Chukchi seas and the Sea of Okhotsk, there are
populations off eastern Greenland and in Davis Straits, Baffin
Bay, James Bay, and the adjacent waters. Within these
ranges, bowhead whales move southward in front of the
advancing ice floes and may be expected near the southern
limits of their range from September or October through the
early spring months. Populations in the western North
Atlantic appear to be increasing slowly.

Stranded Specimens

In addition to the fact that their ranges may overlap only
slightly if at all, bowhead whales may be distinguished from
the other right whales of the western North Atlantic by
differences in 1) primary distribution, 2) coloration, 3)
lengths of the longest baleen plates, and 4) presence of
callosities.

Bowhead Whale

Right Whale

DISTRIBUTION

Arctic distribution south to
Davis Straits only during
winter.

Texas, southwest Florida
north to Iceland, reaching
northern limits only during
spring and summer.

COLORATION

Black with white "vest" on
front part of lower jaw,
sometimes containing a
string of black spots; upper
jaw lacks the "rock garden."

Sometimes black often
brown or mottled with re-
gions of white on chin and
belly; patches of yellowish to
pink callosities and lice
encrusting the snout in what
has been called a "rock
garden."

BALEEN PLATES

325-360 per side; plates to 14
inches (35.6 cm) at base and
longest plates up to 14 feet
(4.3 m) long. Dark gray or
black with gray fringes;
anterior margin of some
plates whitish, showing
green iridescence in sun-
light.

250-390 per side; plates 12
inches (30.5 cm) at base and
up to 7.2 feet (2.2 m) long.
Dirty gray with black frin-
ges; some anterior plates
partly or completely white.

BONNET AND OTHER CALLOSITIES
Not present. Present.

Figure 43. — Swimming adult bowhead whales, particularly males, often
show two characteristic humps or curves to the back — one on the head,
ending just behind the blowholes, and a larger curve from just behind the
blowholes to near the flukes; the second is accentuated when the animal
humps up to begin a dive. {Photo by J. Lentfer.)

"■%!•

' ^^^tf^'^^^I^B

•Jr.

Figure 44. -

-Bowbead whales have no dorsal fin. The back is smooth and black, though often irregularly spaced
white or grayish scars of unknown origin appear. (Photoi by J. Lentfer.)

^1.

Figure 45.-1116 unusually shaped head and the broad lower jaw, colored by a broad white vest, are evident in the swimming bowhead whale (left) and in
both members of the copulating pair (right). Also evident on the animal to the far left is the "string of black beads" which is sometimes found in the white
region. {Pkotot by J. Lentfer.)

Figure 46. — A harpooned bowhead whale (this one from the Alaskan population). Note the high arching upper jaw of the species. Bowhead whales have
up to at least 360 plates per side, far more than the black right whale. The longest plates, located near the middle of each jaw, are reported to reach
12 feet (3.7 ml, or more, in length. {Photo by D. R. Patten.)

RIGHT WHALE (B)

Eubalaena glacialis (Borowski 1781)

Other Common Names

Black right whale. Biscayan right whale, Biscay whale,
Nordcaper right whale.

Description

These right whales reach a length of about 53 feet (16.2
m).

The body is rotund and completely lacking a dorsal fin or a
dorsal ridge. The upper jaw is long, narrow, and highly
arched. The lips are similarly highly arched. The top of the
head has a series of bumps or callosities, the largest one of
which is known as the "bonnet," on the upper surface in front
of the blowholes. Yellowish-brown lice and, less frequently,
barnacles grow on the callosities. The color and extent of the
callosities varies from one individual to the next.

The two blowholes are widely separated, resulting in the
projection of the blow upward as two distinct spouts. The
body is dark on the back, sometimes black, more often brown
or mottled, usually has a region of white on the chin and belly,
and sometimes has numerous small grayish-white scars of
unknown origin. The baleen plates are up to 7.2 feet (2.2 m)
long, very narrow, and variable in color from dark brownish
through dark gray to black in color. When the animals swim,
mouth agape near the surface, the baleen sometimes
appears pale yellowish gray in color.

Natural History Notes

Right whales are usually not wary of boats and may often
be approached very closely.

Like sperm and humpback whales, they usually throw
their flukes high into the air when beginning a long dive.

Right whales feed primarily on copepods.

Historically, this whale was nearly exterminated by
hunters, who took advantage of its slow speed and who knew
that its carcass floats, to harvest these animals for their great
yield of whalebone and oil. It was these characteristics which
prompted whalers to dub these animals the "right" whales to
kill (as opposed to the ones that were too fast to catch and
sank when killed).

May Be Confused With

The distinct blow of the right whales and their smooth

dark back, devoid of any traces of a dorsal fin. m.ake it
unlikely that the species will be confused with any other large
whales except, perhaps, the bowhead whale. In the event
that the expansion of their ranges again causes these two
species to overlap in distribution, they can be distinguished
from one another by the characteristics discussed on p. 49.
If only the flukes are seen as the animal begins a dive,
right and bowhead whales may be distinguished from the
other two species of large whales exhibiting this behavior,
the sperm and the humpback, in this way: the flukes of right
and bowhead whales are broad, pointed on the tips, greatly
concave towards a deep fluke notch, and dark below:
those of the sperm whale are more nearly triangular, while
those of the humpback whale have a jagged irregular or
rippled rear margin and are sometimes variously white
below.

Distribution

Like its more northern relative, the bowhead whale, the
right whale was once the object of a widespread and
extensive whale fishery, which reduced the species to
critically low numbers.

Though the former range of right whales is not clearly
known, the species is thought to have been abundant from the
Davis Straits south at least to the Carolinas and Bermuda and
to have occurred in winter to Florida and perhaps into the
Gulf of Mexico.

Currently, right whales are known from Iceland south to
Florida. Animals move north along the eastern Florida coast
between early January and late March. During this time the
species has also been observed in the Gulf of Mexico off
southwestern Florida and Texas. Right whales pass the coast
of New England in fair numbers in spring and continue as far
north as at least Nova Scotia. Right whales are also found off
Iceland, though the migration routes to and from Iceland
waters are not known. The recent apparent increases in
numbers at the northern and southern coastal approaches in
New England and Florida, respectively, lend credibility to
the hopeful contention that the species will again recolonize
its historical range.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded right whales can be easily identified by all the
characters discussed on p. 49 and summarized in Table 2.

Figure 47. — The V-shaped blow characteristic
of right whaleB. Note the two distinct spouts,
bushv in appearance. (Photo off Cape Cod by

W. A. Watkins.)

-^T"^

Figure 48. -A right whale off the northeastern Florida coast. Note the robust body, the smooth back, completely lacking a dorsal fin, and
the narrow rostrum, bearing the characteristic yellowish callosities. Right whales, primarily mothers with calves, show up on the Florida
coast in the early spring on their slow annual migration to the north. {Photo by N. Fain, courtesy of Marineland of Florida.)

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Figure 50. — Right whales frequently throw their tail flukes high into the
air and then slip nearly vertically beneath the surface. Note that the rear
margin of the flukes of this species, unlike that of the humpback whale, is
smooth, broad, and concaved distinctly towards a deep fluke
notch. {Photos from the northern North Atlantic by K. C. Balcomb [a-g]
and off northeastern Florida by N. Fain, courtesy of Marineland of
Florida [h]. )

Figure 51. — A stranded right whale at Narragensett Bay, R.I. Note the narrow, highly arched lower jaw, the
extremely long, narrow baleen plates, reaching lengths of 6.5 feet (2.0 m), or more; and the bonnet (the
protuberance near the tip of the upper jaw). (Photo from U.S. National Museum, courtesy of J. G. Mead.)

Figure 52. - A ventral view of a harpooned female right whale at Newfoundland. Note that this species, like the bowhead, lacks the series of ventral grooves
which characterize all other baleen whales of the western North Atlantic. Note also the absence of the vest of white on the chin, a feature which is-
characteristic of the bowhead whale. Some right whales, however, do have extensive regions of white on the ventral surface, including the chin. [Photo
from U.S. National Museum, courtesy of J. G. Mead.)

SPERM WHALE (T)

PhysetercatodonLinnaeus 1758

Other Common Names

Cachalot, Sea Wap (St. Vincent).

Description

Male sperm whales have been reported to reach a length
of 69 feet (20.9 m), though today individuals larger than 50
feet (15.2 m) are rare. Females are much smaller, rarely
exceeding 38 feet (11.6 m).

A sperm whale is among the easiest of whales to identify
at sea even when comparatively little of the animal is visible.
It has a huge head, which comprises from a fourth to a third of
the animal's total length. (The proportion is considerably
higher for males than for females.) The blunted "squarish"
snout, which may project up to 5 feet (1.5 m) beyond the tip of
the lower jaw, houses a large reservoir containing a high-
quality oil called spermaceti.

The single blowhole is located well to the left of the
midline and far forward on the head. As a consequence the
small bushy blow, usually less than 8 feet (2.4 m), emerges
forward at a sharp angle from the head and towards the left.
Under good wind conditions this feature alone may permit
positive identification of sperm whales even at considerable
distances.

Sperm whales have a distinct dorsal hump, usually
rounded in its appearance about two-thirds of the way back
from the tip of the snout. Immediately behind the hump is a
series of knuckles or crenulations along the midline. This
hump and the crenulations are clearly visible when the
animals arch the tail before beginning a dive. There is a
ventral keel, which may also be visible as animals "sound"
(dive). The flukes of sperm whales are broad and triangular in
shape, are not concaved, but are deeply notched on the rear
margin.

Sperm whales usually are dark brownish gray in color.
The body has a "corrugated" or "shriveled" appearance. The
belly and the front of the head may be grayish to off-white.
The skin around the mouth, particularly near the corners, is
white. The undersides of the flukes and flippers vary in color
through numerous shades of browns and brownish grays.

Natural History Notes

Sperm whales may dive to depths in excess of 3,270 feet
(996.7 m) for periods of an hour or more. As do most whales
upon surfacing from a deep dive, sperm whales emit a single
explosive blow and then, depending on the length of the dive,
may remain on the surface for over 10 min and blow more than
50 times before beginning the next dive. Shorter periods on
the surface and fewer blows are more common. Females may
dive and remain on the surface for shorter periods of time
than males. When beginning a deep dive, sperm whales
throw their broad triangular flukes, dark on the undersides,
high into the air.

Sperm whales may be found singly or in groups of up to 35
or 40 individuals. Older males are usually solitary except
during the breeding season. During the remainder of the year

large groups may be bachelor bulls (sexually inactive males)
or nursery schools containing females and juveniles of both
sexes. Sperm whales are seldom found in less than 600 feet
(182.9 m) of water.

Sperm whales feed primarily on squid but may occasion-
ally also take octopuses and a variety of fishes.

May Be Confused With

Because of their distinctive head shape and blow, sperm
whales are unlikely to be confused with any other species
when they can be closely examined. If only the back and tail
flukes are seen, however, sperm whales may somewhat
resemble humpback whales. Both species arch the back when
beginning a dive, raising the fin or hump, and both throw the
tail flukes. The most distinctive differences between the two
species are tabularized on p. 40.

At sea the head of a sperm whale may also somewhat
resemble that of an adult male northern bottlenosed whale,
but this latter species is lighter brown in color, has a distinct
beak and a prominent dorsal fin, and is rarely found south of
lat. 42°N. In addition, the blowhole of the northern
bottlenosed whale is located well back on the head and
not— as in the sperm whale— on the front.

Distribution

Sperm whales are widely distributed in oceanic areas of
the western North Alantic. They may be encountered from
Venezuela north at least as far as the Davis Straits, though
they apparently avoid the polar ice fields. Distribution and
migrations vary between males and females. Males range
farther to the north, while females and immature males
remain between lat. 30° and 50°N. Both groups shift
northward during spring and summer and return to southern
portions of their range in the fall. Adult males arrive off the
New England coast in August. Those reaching the
Newfoundland and Labrador coasts arrive from the deep sea,
perhaps following the slope contours, in August and
September. Males are abundant as far north as southeast
Greenland and Iceland in summer. Some animals remain as
late as November, but the majority migrate south to tem-
perate or tropical waters in the early fall.

Historically the primary grounds in the western North
Atlantic were those in all the following areas: the Grand
Banks just southeast of the southern Grand Banks from lat.
30° to 40°N and long. 35° to 55°W, off the Carolinas, around
the Bahamas, around many of the West Indies, and in the
southwestern Caribbean.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded sperm whales should be easy to identify. The
very narrow underslung jaw contains from 18 to 25 functional
teeth, which fit into sockets in the upper jaw. The huge,
distinctly box-shaped head and the position of the single
blowhole to the left front of the head are unmistakable clues.

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Figure 54 -A side view of a sperm whale in the West Indies, showing the distinctive blow. Note that the spout projects obUquely forward from
the blowhole, which is displaced to the left front of the head. {Photo by H. E. Wmn.)

'!*

Figure 55. -Note the distinctive body shape and the position of the
blowhole of these swimming sperm whales, and, in the animal on the left,
the broad taU flukes. yPkotoe from the North Atlantic by S. Green \left\
and from the North Pacific by S. Ohsumi [right]. )

Figure 56. — A sperm whale mother and calf off Baja California, showing the distinct dorsal hump and the extremely long head. In the bottom photo, from
the West Indies, note the dorsal hump and the crenulations of bumps which follow it. Both the hump and the crenulations may be visible as the animal
arches its tail to begin a deep dive. Note also the wrinkled appearance of the body. (Photo by K. C. Balcomb [top] and H. E. Winn [bottom].)

Figure 57. — Sperm whales often show their broad tail flukes as they begin long dives, which may last over an hour and take them to depths of several
thousand feet or more. Note the smooth rear margin and the nearly triangular shape of the flukes. (Photo from off Baja Caltfomia by K. C. Balcomb.)

Fi^re 58. — A stranded infant male sperm whale at Melbourne Beach, Fla. (top) and a male adult sperm whale on the deck of a whaling ship in the Pacific
(bottom). Note the bul^ng forehead, the narrow, underslung lower jaw, the white coloration around the mouth, particularly at the corners, and the
wrinkled appearance of the body. In the bottom photo note also the whitish region on the belly. {Photos by P. Wvnfield \top\ and Japanese Whalet
Research Institute, courtesy of H. Omura [bottom].)

Figure 59. —The narrow lower jaw of a sperm whale contains from 18
to 25 large functional teeth, which fit neatly into sockets in the upper
jaw. Occasionally, the upper jaw also contains some teeth. {Photo
from the North Pacific by Japanese Whales Research Institute,
courtesy of H. Omura. )

Figure 60. — The throat and lower jaw of a sperm whale on the deck of an
eastern Canadian whaling station, showing the numerous short throat
grooves, which are most clearly evident on adult animals. (Photo by J.
G. Mead.)

Figure 61 . — Detail of the broad, paddle-shaped flipper of a sperm whale
from the North Pacific. {Photo from Japanese Whales Research In-
stitute, courtesy of H. Omura. ) |J|

MINKE WHALE (B)

Balaenopteraacutorostratahacepede 1804

Other Common Names

Little piked whale, lesser rorqual, little finner, sharp-
headed firmer, grampus (Newfoundland), gibord (Quebec).

Description

Minke whales are the smallest baleen whale species in the
northern hemisphere, reaching maximum lengths of just over
30 feet (9.1 m). One of the most distinctive features of this
species is an extremely narrow, pointed, distinctly triangular
rostrum with a single head ridge, similar to but much sharper
than that of the fin whale (hence the common name
"sharp-headed finner"). Minke whales have a tall, falcate
dorsal fin located in the latter third of the back, in about the
same position as that of the sei whale, which often becomes
visible simultaneously with the low, usually inconspicuous
blow.

Minke whales are black to dark gray on the back and white
on the belly and on the underside of the flippers. Portions of
the underside of the flukes may be steel bluish gray. They
have a diagonal band of white on each flipper, the extent and
orientation of which varies individually.

Like the fin whale, minke whales (at least from the Pacific)
sometimes have a chevron on the back behind the head and
often have two regions of lightish-gray coloration on each
side— one just above and behind the flippers; another just in
front of and below the dorsal fin. These patches may be quite
conspicuous on some animals, indetectable on others. These
markings may also be present on Atlantic specimens, though
they have not yet been documented. The baleen, which may
be visible from close range when the animal is feeding, is
mostly yellowish white with fine white bristles. The posterior
plates (up to half) may be brown to black.

Natural History Notes

Minke whales are frequently found as single animals,
pairs, or trios, though they may congregate in areas of food
concentration in the northern seas during the spring and
summer. They are more likely to be seen up close than their
larger cousins— the blue, fin, and sei whales— because they
often closely approach boats, particularly stationary boats, as
if curious about them.

Minke whales may also approach very close to shore and
often enter bays, inlets, and estuaries.

Like fin whales, they often arch the tail stock high into the
air when beginning a long dive. However, they do not raise
the flukes above the surface when beginning a dive.

Minke whales feed primarily on small shoal fish (herring,
cod, pollack, and capelin).

Minkes sometimes breach, leaping completely clear of the
water and entering smoothly, head first, or with a substantial
splash like humpback whales.

May Be Confused With

When they are seen at relatively close range, minke
whales can be readily distinguished from the other rorquals
that have relatively tall, falcate dorsal fins (fin, sei, and
Bryde's whales) by their considerably smaller size and by
their distinctive white band on each flipper.

At a distance, however, positive identification may be
difficult. Minke whales have a small, low, inconspicuous blow.
Like sei whales, they frequently expose the dorsal fin
simultaneously with the blow, but minke whales hump the
tail stock much higher when beginning a long dive — more like
fin whales.

aiw^^«^>

Figure62. — The minke whale, at a maximum length of just over 30 feet (9.1 m), the smallest baleen
whale species of the western North Atlantic, is distributed in polar, temperate, and tropical waters.
These animals usually have a low, inconspicuous blow and are sometimes curious enough about
boats that they will alter their course to investigate them. Note the two areas of hght gray on the
sides of the body, characteristic of at least Pacific minke whales. {Photo from off British Columbia,
courtety of Nanaimo Free Press.)

Figure 63. — Three views of minke whales at sea. In all note the transverse
band of white on the flippers and the sharply pointed head. Note the gray
chevron visible on the back (top), the absence of a conspicuous blow and
the appearance of the prominent dorsal fin on the surface while the
blowholes are still exposed (middle), and the distinctive regions of light
gray on the sides (bottom). [Photos from off San Diego, Calif, by G. E.
Lmgle [top]; from the northern West Indies by H.E. Winn [midiUe\; and
from the western Pacific by Japanese Whales Research Institute, courte-
sy ofH. Omura [bottom].)

From a distance, minke whales might also be mistaken for
northern bottlenosed whales (or any of several other beaked
whales with a similar dorsal fin). They can be distinguished
by the differences in head shape, body color and markings,
and behavior, detailed on p. 67.

Distribution

Minke whales are distributed in the polar, temperate, and
tropical waters of the western North Atlantic. They are
found from the pack ice south to at least Anguilla, Lesser
Antilles, and the eastern Gulf of Mexico, though they appear
to be most abundant in temperate waters north of the lati-
tude of New York and are infrequently reported from tropi-
cal waters. At least some of the population migrates to the
northern portions of their range in spring and back south in
autumn. They often approach close to shore and enter river
mouths, inlets, and estuaries.

Minke whales arrive along the Canadian coast in May or
June. Some migrate as far north as Hudson Strait, where
they remain until the freeze in October, November, or
December. By December the majority of the population has

begun to move to the south, although some animals remain
behind so long as to become entrapped in the ice and die.
Spring and summer concentrations along the Canadian coast
correspond to concentrations of capelin, cod, and herring.
Southern concentrations, also corresponding with concentra-
tions of herring, extend farther offshore at least to the edges
of the Grand Bank. Minke whales also summer off the south
coast of western Greenland, which they probably reach from
waters southwest of Iceland. Minke whales also occur in
deep pelagic waters.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded minke whales can be most readily identified by:
1) their small size (to just over 30 feet [9.1 m]); 2) the
transverse white bands on the flippers; 3) the yellowish-
white baleen plates (up to half the posteriormost plates may
be brown or black), 300-325 per side in number and having
fine white bristles (the plates are up to 4.75 inches [12 cm)
wide at the base and up to 8 inches [20.3 cm] long); and 4) by
the 50-70 thin ventral grooves, ending well before the navel,
often just even with the flippers.

Figure 64. — Minke whales are also known as sharp-headed tinners. On this animal from the North Pacific,
note the sharply pointed head and the single central head ridge. (Photo by Japanese Whales Research
Institute, courtesy of H. Omura. )

sJUCCSn

Figure 65. - A minke whale stranded at Santa Barbara, Calil. Note the dark back, the white-banded flipper, and the 60-70 fine ventral grooves extending to
just behind the flippers. The short, white baleen plates are visible in the open mouth. (Photo by S. Anderton.)

Figure 66. -Minke whales have from 300 to 325 short, yellowish-white baleen plates (up to half the
anterionnost plates may be brown or black) with fine white bristles on each upper jaw. \Photo from
Santa Barbara, Caltf. by S. Anderson.)

Other Common Names

None known.

Description

Northern bottlenosed whales reach a length of 32 feet (9.8
m) and are robust in form. They are characterized by a
bulbous forehead, which is more pronounced on larger
animals and most distinctive in adult males, and by the
dolphinlike beak displayed in animals of all sizes and ages,
which is sometimes visible as the animals surface steeply to
breathe.

The blowhole is located in an indented area behind the
bulbous forehead, and the blow emanating from it projects
upward or slightly forward to a height of up to 6 feet (1.8 m),
is bushy and is visible from a considerable distance under low
wind conditions. The dorsal fin, located two-thirds of the way
back on the back, reaches at least 12 inches (30.5 cm) in height
and is distinctly falcate. The dorsal fin may be visible from a
distance of several hundred meters.

Northern bottlenosed whales are usually brownish in
color, though the markings change with age. Smaller animals
are a uniform chocolate brown. Larger animals retain the
chocolate brown color on the back but are often lighter on the
sides and the belly and often have irregular patches or
blotches of grayish-white coloration on the back and sides.
Extremely large animals, presumably older males, often
have a white head. The flippers and the undersides of the
flukes are uniformly brown in color.

Natural History Notes

Northern bottlenosed whales often form tightly packed
groups of up to 10 or more animals. This species holds the
anecdotal record for the longest dives, having been reported
by early whalers to remain submerged over 2 h. They are
probably deep divers, feeding primarily on squid (though
they may take fishes as well), and they rarely go in water
shallower than 100 fathoms (183 m).

After a long dive, northern bottlenosed whales will
sometimes remain on the surface for 10 min or more, blowing
at regular intervals before making another dive. After the
last blow of a series or when the animals are startled by a
boat, they may show the tail flukes as they begin to dive. The
flukes are not notched on the rear margin.

Northern bottlenosed whales have been observed to show
curiosity about boats, coming to them from a considerable
distance. They have also been observed to "lobtail," raising
the tail flukes above the water and slapping them against the
surface, and to jump clear of the water.

In the late 19th century, after stocks of bowhead whales
were severely reduced by overwhaling, northern bottlenosed
whales became a prime target of arctic whalers. They were
sought because in addition to whale oil produced from the
body blubber, the forehead of the species yielded quantities
of spermaceti like that obtained from sperm whales.

NORTHERN BOTTLENOSED WHALE (T)

Hyperoodon ampullatus (Forster 1770)

May Be Confused With

Northern bottlenosed whales have a northerly and
deep-water distribution. Within their range, they may be
confused at a distance with minke whales, with sperm
whales, or perhaps with North Sea beaked whales.

Minke whales (p. 63) have a falcate dorsal fin located in
approximately the same position as that of the northern
bottlenosed whale. However, minke whales have a flathead in
front of their two blow holes and are black to dark gray
on the back.

Sperm whales (p. 57) have a squarish head that may
somewhat resemble that of an adult male northern
bottlenosed whale. However, there are numerous character-
istics which will permit these species to be distinguished even
from a distance:

Northern
Bottlenosed Whale

Sperm Whale

BLOW

Low and bushy; projects
upward from indentation on
top of head.

Low and bushy; projects
obliquely forward from left
side of head; usually less
than 8 feet (2.4 m).

Lighter brown; adults splot-
ched with grayish white;
body smooth.

COLORATION

Brownish gray;
pears wrinkled.

body ap-

FLUKES

Rarely notched; seldom rais-
ed on long dive.

Notched; raised on long dive.

HEAD

Tapering in younger ani-
mals; bulbous in adults;
white in older animals; beak-
ed.

Squarish, long, al;
beakless.

black;

A further aid to distinguishing northern bottle-
nosed and sperm whales at sea is the fact that the
sperm whales that are found in areas where northern
bottlenosed whales are encountered are usually older,
larger males from 40 to 60 feet (12.2 to 18.3 m) long.
Northern bottlenosed whales do not exceed 32
feet (9.8 m).

Northern bottlenosed whales may also be confused with
the poorly known North Sea beaked whale (p. 82). When
they can be examined at close range, however, northern
bottlenosed whales should be distinguishable on the basis of
the distinctly bulbous forehead.

Distribution

In the western North Atlantic, northern bottlenosed
whales are restricted to Arctic and north temperate waters,

Figure 67. —Northern bottlenosed whales at sea off Nova Scotia. Note the prominent dorsal fin and the blotches of grayish-white coloration on the body.
Northern bottlenosed whales reach 32 feet (9.8 m) in overall length. {Photo by H. E. Winn.)

Figure 68. -Views of the heads of male northern bottlenosed whales off Nova Scotia. Note the distinctive beak (right) and the bulbous forehead, features
which develop with age and are most pronounced in adult males. In the animal on the left, note also the low bushy blow emanating from the indented area on
the top of the head. (Photos by H. E. Winn.)

where they most commonly occur in offshore areas. They
have been reported from Davis Straits and the entrance to
Hudson Strait, the Gully southeast of Sable Island, and as far
south as Narragansett Bay, R.I.

In the spring and summer they concentrate near the
northern limits of their range, occasionally visiting deep
channels of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and eastern
Newfoundland in summer. During these seasons they may
extend to the edge of the pack ice.

In the fall and winter the bulk of the population migrates
.southward. Many probably winter in the Labrador Sea while
others move farther southward and farther offshore.

Stranded Specimens

Like the beaked whales discussed on p. 70 through 83,
the northern bottlenosed whales have no notch in the tail
flukes, have two throat grooves forming a V-shape on the
chin, and have only two teeth in the lower jaw, with those
teeth emerged from the gums only in adult males. These
teeth may have sometimes fallen out of older males, but the
tooth sockets should still be visible in the gums.

Figure 69. -Northern bottlenosed whales occasionally raise their tafl f*° "
nukes when beginning a dive. At close range, these flukes can oKen be
seen to lack a distinctive notch on the rear margin . {Photo from off Nova
Scotia by J. Ham. )

NOTE: Some specimens— both male and female— will be
found to have a series of vestigial teeth the size of toothpicks
in the upper and/or lower jaws. Similar vestigial teeth, .5-40
in number, sometimes occur in goosebeaked whales (p. 70).
Further when they are prepared for museum collections, the
lower jaws of adult northern bottlenosed whales may be
found to contain a second pair of teeth just behind the first.

Northern bottlenosed whales may be distinguished from
the remainder of the beaked whale family, however, by the
extremely robust body, by the bulbous forehead, which is
more extensively developed in larger animals, particularly
males, and by the pronounced dolphinlike beak.

Figure 70.- A stranded northern bottlenosed whale from Holland. Note the bulbous forehead, the long dolphinlike beak and the frequent absences of .
notch in the rear margin of the tail flukes. (Photo by J. P Strijbos. courtesy of Rijks Musum van Natuurlyke Hutone te Leuien. )

GOOSEBEAKED WHALE (T)

Ziphius cavirostris G. Cuvier 1823

Other Common Names

Ziphius, Cuvier's beaked whale, grampus (St. Vincent)
(see also p. 96).

Description

Goosebeaked whales reach a length of 23 feet (7 m).
Females are slightly larger than males of the same age.
Calves are probably less than about 6 feet (1.8 m) at birth.
The head is small relative to the body length and, when
viewed laterally, is slightly concaved or scooped on the upper
margin. The cleft of the mouth is small, smaller than in any
other species of beaked whales. The beak is indistinct in
larger individuals. There is a distinct indentation on the back
behind the head. Two teeth are found at the tip of the lower
jaw of adult males only.

The dorsal fin is relatively tall and distinct, to at least 15
inches (38.1 cm), smoothly falcate, and located well behind
the midpoint of the back. The blowhole is located far forward
on the top of the head. The blow, which may project slightly
forward and slightly off to the left, is usually low and
inconspicuous. Though the first blow after a long dive may be
more distinct, even it is rarely visible even under good wind
conditions for more than a few hundred yards.

Descriptionsof the color pattern vary. Individuals may be
dark rust brown, slate gray, or fawn colored on the back and
generally lighter on the belly. Some appear dark in both
regions, still others — particularly youngsters— appear light-
er gray or tan on the belly. The body is frequently covered
with white or cream-colored blotches (particularly on the
belly). The tail flukes are dark on the bottom. The head is
frequently paler in color. Old males have a distinct white head
and are frequently extensively scarred.

Natural History Notes

Goosebeaked whales frequently occur in groups of from 10
to as many as 25 individuals. They have been reported to
jump clear of the water. They are presumably deep divers
and are known to stay down for more than 30 min. When they
begin a deep dive, they often raise their tail flukes above the

surface and dive nearly vertically. Goosebeaked whales feed
primarily on squid.

May Be Confused With

So lit tie is known of the external appearance and behavior
of the living beaked whales at sea that all the species may
easily be confused.

Goosebeaked whales are larger than all other beaked
whale species with the exception of the northern bottlenosed
whale. Upon close examination they may be distinguished
from the northern bottlenosed whale by the lighter coloration
of the head, reaching an extreme in the white head of adult
males. (See p. 67 and Fig. 75.)

Distribution

As with other species of beaked whales seldom
encountered or at least seldom positively identified at sea,
the distribution of goosebeaked whales is poorly known and
must be constructed from records of stranded specimens.
Such records, often involving sick individuals that may have
washed ashore from considerable distances, may give an
inaccurate picture of normal ranges.

In general, stranding reports suggest that goosebeaked
whales are sparsely but widely distributed in nonpolar
latitudes. They appear to be primarily tropical in
distribution, though they venture into temperate areas in
summer. They have been reported from Massachusetts and
Rhode Island south to Florida and thence to the islands of the
West Indies. They are frequently stranded along the Florida
coast and are not an uncommon species in the extant whale
fishery of the Antillean Islands. The fact that goosebeaked
whales strand more frequently than other beaked whales
may reflect either a greater abundance or a greater tendency
to approach close to shore.

They are probably primarily an offshore species.

Stranded Specimens

To be positively identified, stranded goosebeaked whales
in an advanced state of decomposition may require museum
preparation and examination of the skull and teeth. Fresh
specimens may be tentatively identified by the characters
illustrated in the figures.

'*^^^^'v^^^^^^^w*«>

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..'lito:.

Figure 71 . — Goosebeaked whales have been rarely seen at sea. In these photos from the eastern tropical Pacific, note the white head of the animal on the
left. Goosebeaked whales are wary of boats and may dive for 30 min or more. When they surface, their blow, usually very indistinct, may project forward
and slightly to the left. {Photos by K. D. Sextan, courtesy of Natumal Marine Fisheries Service.)

Figure 72. — A beaked whale, probably a goosebeaked whale, jumps ^,
beside a research ship off northwestern Baja California. Note the position ^nL
and shape of the dorsal fin and the depression just behind the
head. {Photo by S. Leatherwood.)

^'*'***^*''*Su^<inp^

Figure 73. — A goosebeaked whale stranded in Delaware. Goosebeaked whales are primarily tropical in distribution, though they apparently venture into
temperate areas in summer. Note the prominent dorsal fin, the lighter coloration of the head, and the depression just behind the head. {Photo from U.S.
National Museum^ courtesy of J. G. Mead. )

Figure 74. — A closeup of the dorsal surface of the
flukes of a juvenile goosebeaked whale stranded in the
northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Like other members of
the beaked whale family, goosebeaked whales lack a
distinctive notch in the rear margin of the flukes.
{Photo courtesy of Florida's Gulfarium.)

Figure 75. — Stranded goosebeaked whales, an adult male from northern California (top) and an
immature female from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico (bottom). Note the brownish color of the
back, marked in the adult animal by blotches of lighter gray and numerous scratch marks,
presumably tooth rakes. Note also the mouth cleft, shorter in this species than in any other beaked
whale species, and the slightly concave appearance to the upper margin of the head. The beak is
usually less developed in large animals. The inset photo shows a ventral view of the tip of the lower
jaw of an adult male from the east coast of Florida. The two teeth of the species are emerged above
the gum only in adult males. (Photos by W. J. Houck [top\, Florida's Gulfarium [middle], and W.
A. Huck, courtesy of Marineland of Florida |»ue(|. )

OTHER BEAKED WHALES (T)

Mesoplodon spp.

Other Common Names

Grampus (St. Vincent) (see also p. 96).

Description

In addition to the northern bottlenosed whale (p. 67) and
the goosebeaked whale (p. 70), four other species of beaked
whales have been reported from the western North Atlantic.
All four species are known primarily from stranded
specimens and have been rarely encountered at sea.
Therefore statements of range are usually limited to
inferences from locations of strandings, and information on
appearance and habits of the species in the wild is almost
totally lacking.

The infrequent encounters with beaked whales at sea may
result from such factors as 1) a low inconspicuous blow, 2)
avoidance of ships, and/or 3) distribution in small groups in
offshore areas well outside the normal boating lanes.

The following descriptions will aid primarily in identifying

stranded specimens. Though subtle differences in ranges,
color patterns, and dorsal fin shapes and positions may be
helpful in narrowing the choices of living animals, the species
will continue to be extremely difficult to distinguish from one
another in the brief encounters typical at sea until additional
data are collected.

The beaked whales have the following characteristics in
common: 1) two small creases forming a V-shape on the throat
2) the absence of a conspicuous notch on the rear margin of the
tail flukes (some specimens have a slight indentation), and 31
the absence of functional teeth in all except adult males.
Adult males have a single pair of teeth in the lower jaw, the
position and description of which help to identify the species.
The teeth of females are not functional and only rarely
emerge from the gums. Therefore, if a stranded animal is an
adult male, its species can be determined by the position and
description of the teeth. For example, in Mesoplodon mirus,
the teeth are located near the tip of the lower jaw; in M.
europaeus, they are located about a third of the way from the
tip of the snout to the corner of the mouth; in M. bidens, they

Figure 76. - An unidentified beaked whale from the mid-Pacific. Note the marks along the back, presumably tooth rakes, consisting of scratches that are
paired and close together. A beaked whale in the western North Atlantic marked in this manner would be a northern bottlenosed whale (p. 671, a goose-
beaked whale (p. 70), or a True's beaked whale (p. 77). These are the only three species in which the teeth are located close together near the tip of the
lower jaw. {Photo by K. C. Balcomb.)

are nearly half way from the tip of the snout to corner of the
mouth; and in M. derisirostris, they are located in large
prominences near the back of the mouth.

If the animal is a female or an immature male, however,

museum preparation and examination might be required
before the species can be positively determined. The
following four sections summarize characters of western
North Atlantic beaked whales.

<<«.

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Figure 77. — Various views of a herd of five or six unidentified beaked whales, possibly dense-beaked whales, 12 miles off Pokai Bay, Oahu, flawaii. The
animals were very shy and had low indistinct blows, making them difficult to spot and track. As they surfaced, individuals frequently bucked their heads
and slapped the chin against the surface, rather than rolling. They did not raise their tail flukes when beginning their long dives. {Photos by E.
ShaUenberger, Sea Life Park, Hawaii.)

{Because so little is known of beaked whales every encounter should be recorded in as much detail as possible. |

Figure 78. — Adult male beaked whales,
showing the body profile and the relative
positions of the teeth. Remember that the
teeth of females and immature males are
concealed beneath the gums. {Drawing by
L. Wmn.)

^^ densirostns

TRUES BEAKED WHALE (T)

Mesoplodon mirus True 1913

Other Common Names

None known.

Description

True's beaked whales reach a length of at least 16 feet (4.9
m) long. They are chunky in midbody and narrow rapidly
towards the tail, closely resembling goosebeaked whales
(p. 70). In overall body shape, the head is small with a slight
indentation in the area of the blowhole, a slight bulge to the
forehead, and a pronounced beak. The flippers are small
(from one-fourteenth to one-tenth the body length). The
dorsal fin is small, slightly falcate, located in the latter third
of the back, and followed by a pronounced ridge on the tail
stock. The flukes, which sometimes contain a very slight
notch, are broad (to almost one- fifth the body length).

True's beaked whales are dull black to dark gray on the
back, lighter slate gray on the sides, and white on the belly.
The body is frequently covered with light colored spots or
splotches and bears numerous pairs of scratch marks,
presumably tooth rakes (Fig. 76).

The flippers are all black and are attached in the dark col-
oration of the animal's side. The flukes are dark above and
below.

May Be Confused With

True's beaked whales are most likely to be confused with
goosebeaked whales (p. 70) but may also be confused with
any of the other beaked whales species (p. 74 and Fig. 78).

Distribution

True's beaked whales appear to be primarily temperate in
distribution. They have been reported from Cape Breton
Island, Nova Scotia south as far as Flagler Beach in Florida.
Northernmost records are for summer months.

The range of True's beaked whales overlaps with that of
the Antillean beaked whale but is more northerly.

Stranded Specimens

The teeth of adult male True's beaked whales may be
visible near the tip of the lower jaw, a characteristic shared
with the goosebeaked whale (p. 70) and the northern
bottlenosed whale (p. 67). Both these other species reach
substantially greater maximum lengths than True's beaked
whales, however, and should be readily distinguishable by
this and the number of other highly distinctive characteristics
of each species.

Females and subadult males may be confused with any of
the beaked whales species (p. 74 and Fig. 78).

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Figure 79. -Two views of the body of a stranded True's beaked whale from
northeastern Florida. This species reaches at least 16 feet (4.9 m) and closely
resembles the goosebeaked whale in general body shape. It is distributed in
temperate waters from Nova Scotia to Florida. (Photos courtesy of Marineland of
FUyrida.)

Figure 80. —The head ot a True's beaked whale stranded in North Carolina. Note
the small head, the pronounced beak, and the position of the blowhole in the
indentation behind the forehead. The teeth, visible above the gums only in adult
males, are in the position indicated by the arrow. The photo on the right shows
the two V-shaped throat grooves characteristic of beaked whales. {Photos from
U.S. National Museum, courtesy of J. G, Mead.)

ANTILLEAN BEAKED WHALE (T)

Mesoplodon europaeus (Gervais 1855)
(equals M. gervaisi [DeslongchampsJ)

Other Common Names

Gulfstream beaked whale, Gervais' beaked whale.

Description

Antillean beaked whales reach a length of at least 22 feet
(6.7 m). They are slender in form and appear somewhat
laterally compressed (i.e., taller than they are wide). The
head is extremely small and tapers rapidly to a narrow beak.
The flippers are small (to about one-twelfth the body length)
with their origin well down on the sides of the body. The
dorsal fin is small, located behind the midpoint of the back,
and variable in shape from falcate to triangular. The flukes
are less than one- fifth the body length and are not notched.

Antillean beaked whales are dark grayish black on the
back and sides, slightly lighter on the abdomen. The flukes
are dark gray above and below.

Natural History Notes

Antillean beaked whales are probably primarily oceanic in
distribution and are known to feed on squid.

May Be Confused With

Antillean beaked whales may be confused with any of the
other beaked whales though they are larger than all except
the northern bottlenosed whale (p. 67) and the goosebeaked
whale (p. 70).

Distribution

Antillean beaked whales have been reported stranded
from the latitude of Long Island, N.Y. south to Florida,
thence into the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Stranded Specimens

The teeth of Antillean beaked whales are located at the
suture of the mandible, about one-third of the way from
the tip of the snout to the corner of the mouth (Fig.
78).

Figure 81 . — Two views of an Antillean beaked whale stranded in New Jersey in 1899. Note the very small head, the prominent
back-curved dorsal fin, and the slightly concave rear margin of the tail flukes, which lack a distinct notch. iPhotos by F. W.
True, courtesy of U.S. National Museum-)

Figure 82. —Two views of an Antillean beaked whale stranded in Jamaica. This
species reached at least 22 feet (6.7 m) in length. Compared to the smaller True's
beaked whale, Antillean beaked whales have a smaller head, a narrower beak, and a
taller, narrower body. Furthermore, the teeth of this species are located about
one-third of the way back from the tip of the snout to the comer of the
mouth. [Photos by J. J. Rankin. )

DENSE-BEAKED WHALE (T)

Mesoplodon densirostris (Blainville in Desmarest 1817)

Other Common Names

None known.

Description

Dense-beaked whales reach alengthof at least 17 feet (5.2
m). The body is distinctly spindle-shaped. The head, the
contour of which is the most distinctive characteristic of this
species, is marked by a prominent rise, located near the angle
of the gape on each side. This rise, which bears the teeth,
gives a peculiar high, arching contour to the mouth (p. 84),
particularly in adult males.

The flippers are small (one-eleventh to one-tenth the body
length) and have their origin in the lighter color of the lower
sides. The dorsal fin varies from small and triangular to
nearly falcate and pointed on the tip. It is located behind the
midpoint of the back. The flukes are from one-sixth to
one-fifth the body length, are seldom notched, and
occasionally even bulge slightly backwards near the center of
the rear margin.

Dense- beaked whales are black or charcoal gray on the
back, slightly lighter on the abdomen. They are somewhat
blotched with grayish white and are often extensively
scratched or scarred. The flippers are lighter than the back.
The flukes are dark above, light below.

Natural History Notes

From stomach contents of stranded animals dense- beaked
whales are known to feed on squid.

May Be Confused With

Adult male dense-beaked whales can be separated from
the other beaked whales by the high, arching contour to the
corners of the mouth. If there is no adult male in the group,
however, dense-beaked whales may be confused with any of
the other beaked whales species.

Distribution

Dense beaked whales have been reported from Peggys
Cove. Nova Scotia south to Florida. From all accounts, this
species appears widely but sparsely distributed in warm
temperate seas.

Stranded Specimens

Adults of this species should be distinguishable by the
highly distinctive contour of the mouth. The teeth, located in
the high rise of the mouth, are oriented slightly backwards.

Figure 83. — A dense-beaked whale in the tank at New York Aquarium. Note the position of the prominent dorsal fin, just breaking the surface. The blow of
beaked whales is usually small and inconspicuous and reportedly projects markedly forward from the head. {.Photo by J. G. Mead. )

Figure 84. -Views of the heads of dense-beaked whales. Females
Ibottom) and immature males have a slight curvature to the rear of the
mouth. As they mature, males (middle and top) begin to display the two
arching prominences near the corners of the mouth which give the
characteristic contour to the mouth. The teeth are located in these
prominences and are oriented slightly backwards. (Photos from
nortkeattem Florida by W. A. Huck, courtety of Marineland of Florida
[top and middle] and by J. G. Mead [bottom)

Figure 85. — A dense-beaked whale stranded in northeastern Florida. This species reaches about 17 teet (5.2 ml and is black or charcoal gray on
the back, lighter gray on the sides, and frequently marked with grayish-white blotches and often extensively scarred. {Photo by W. A. Huck,
courtesy of Marmelarui of Florida. )

NORTH SEA BEAKED WHALE (T)

Mesoplodon bidens (Sowerby 1804)

Other Common Names

Sowerby's beaked whale.

Description

North Sea beaked whales reach a length of at least 16.5
feet (5 m). The body is distinctly spindle-shaped, but
apparently more robust near midbody than that of the
dense beaked whale. The head is characterized by a
pronounced bulge in front of the blowhole, a slightly concave
forehead, and a moderate to long beak. The flippers are
relatively long (one-eighth to one-ninth the body length). The
dorsal fin is reportedly tall and variable in shape from
triangular to slightly falcate and is located just behind the
midpoint of the back. The flukes are not notched but are
sometimes quite concave on the rear margin.

Adult North Sea beaked whales are dark charcoal gray on
the back with white spots overall. Young animals are also
dark charcoal gray on the back but are lighter on the belly and
are unspotted. The flukes of adults are dark above and below.
Those of young are dark above, lighter below.

Natural History Notes

North Sea beaked whales are known to feed on squid.

May Be Confused With

North Sea beaked whales are the most northerly species
of beaked whales. No other species is very likely to be
encountered in the same area.

Distribution

North Sea beaked whales have been reported in the
offshore waters from the latitude of New England north
perhaps to the pack ice. Individuals are occasionally drawn to
the coasts of Newfoundland in summer, presumably by
concentrations of squid, a known food item.

Stranded Specimens

The teeth of North Sea beaked whales are located about
midway between the tip of the snout and the corner of the
mouth. Except for this characteristic and their northerly
distribution, however, this species might easily be confused
with any other of the beaked whales species.

k-»«;'sr^<>'5iaB3iSwa-"^W)«**"

POSITION OF TEETH
IN ADULT MALES

Fieure 86.-North Sea beaked whales are the most northerly of the beaked whale species, extending north as far as the pack ice.
T^reach at least 16.5 feet (5.0 m) and can be identified on the beach by the position of the teeth near the middle of the lower jaw.

l.ittie is known of the species at sea. (Dra-wing by L. Winn. )

Figure 87.-A female North Sea beaked whale (16.5 feet [5.0 ml) stranded in Hjertuika in 1957. (PAoto courtesy of A. Jomgard.)

KILLER WHALE (T)

Orcinus orca (Linnaeus 1758)

Other Common Names

Blackfish (see also pilot whales, p. 91 and 94), sword fish
(Canada), grampus (see p. 96), whitefish (St. Vincent),
Espladon (Quebec).

Description

Killer whales are the largest member of the dolphin
family. Adult males reach a length of at least 30 feet (9.1 m)
and are robust in form. One specimen of 31 feet (9.5 m) was
recorded for the western North Pacific. Females are
considerably smaller and less stocky. Newborn are
approximately 7-8 feet (2.1-2.4 m) long. Killer whales have
large paddle-shaped flippers.

The most distinctive field character of the species is the
dorsal fin. In adult males it is extremely erect and may be as
much as 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. Though the fin of females and
immature males is less than 3 feet (0.9 m) tall, it is
nonetheless taller even in these animals than in any other
cetacean species and is distinctly falcate and pointed on the
lip.

Killer whales are basically black with an extensive region
of white on the undersides extending from the lower jaw to
the anal region with a branch extending onto the flanks
behind the dorsal fin. There is an oval white patch on the side
of the head just above and behind the eye. In newborn and
very young calves, these regions may be tan to lemon yellow
in color. Most animals have a light-gray saddle marking just
behind the dorsal fin. The undersides of the flukes are
usually white. Both all-black and all-white animals have
been reported.

Natural History Notes

Killer whales travel in groups of from a few to 25 or 30
individuals, though herds of 150 have been reported. Males
appear polygamous, and females and young may form groups
separate from young bachelors and bulls.

Killer whales are extremely fast swimmers, capable of
reaching top speeds of 25 knots or more, and have been
reported "porpoising" and breaching. Individuals and entire
groups have also been reported "spy-hopping," or
"pitchpoling," behaviors which consist of hanging vertically
in the water with the head and much of the body (to just
behind the flippers) exposed above the surface.

Killer whales feed on squid, fishes, sea turtles, seabirds,
and marine mammals.

Controversy still continues over whether or not killer
whales pose a threat to man. Documented attacks of killer
whales on boats are rare and have usually been provoked
(i.e., harpooning or attempts to capture). Only two uncertain
instances of attacks in the wild have been reported, but all
divers and mariners should be cautioned that this powerful
animal is perfectly capable of doing tremendous damage and
should not be provoked.

May Be Confused With

Because of its very distinctive dorsal fin, body shape, and
coloration, the killer whale is not likely to be confused with
any other whale when it can be examined at close range or
when an adult male is present in the group. Pods of females
and immature animals, however, may be confused with false
killer whales or with grampus. The killer whales may be
distinguished from false killers by the following differences:

Killer Whale

False Killer Whale

Chunky.

BODY SHAPE

Slender.

BODY COLOR

Black with white on belly. All black with some gray on
flank, and head. belly.

DORSAL FIN

Very tall and erect in adult Shorter, slender, strongly
males; tall and slightly back falcate,
curved in female.

HEAD SHAPE
Broad, rounded. Tapered, slender.

FLIPPER SHAPE

Paddle-shaped.

Moderately long with char-
acteristic hump near middle
on forward margin.

LENGTH
To at least 30 feet (9.1 m). To at least 18 feet (5.5 m).

Furthermore, false killer whales are the only "blackfish"
which are known to ride the bow wave of a ship.

Grampus have a tall dorsal fin (15 inches [38.1 cm]) which
is very similar in appearance to that of adult female and
juvenile killer whales. But grampus have much lighter
coloration, from slate gray to nearly all white, and larger
animals are covered with numerous scratches. Upon closer
examination they can be further distinguished from killer
whales by a crease in the front of the head dividing the melon
into two distinct sections. Grampus are considerably smaller,
to about 13 feet (4 m) maximum length.

Distribution

In the western North Atlantic killer whales have been
reported from the polar pack ice south to Florida and St.
Vincent, Lesser Antilles, and into the Gulf of Mexico at least
as far as Texas, though they are far more common in the

Figure 88.-A smaU herd of kiUer whale« off southern California (top) and details of an adult male from that '>"f '™^f ' ""l^V^t Je tTe f^ns of
maTes off Islas San Benito. Baja CalUornia (bottom). Adult males have a taU erect dorsal fin, which may be '-''''■ ''^•'"^'^.^'^If^'^J'^^^^^^
females and immature males are less than 3 feet (0.9 m) tall, distinctly falcate, and pointed on the t.p. Both sexes frequently have a graysh white region,
called a "saddle," behind the dorsal fin. [Photos by T. Dohl [top and middU] and S. Leatherwood [bottom].)

cooler waters from about New Jersey north. Throughout
their range, killer whales seem to prefer coastal areas and
often enter shallow bays, estuaries, and river mouths in
search of food.

Migrations of the species are probably closely tied to
movements of their food supply. They annually arrive on the
coast of New England with the tuna. Along the Canadian
coasts, where distribution and migrations have been
described in some detail, killer whales appear to move
inshore in spring and summer. Many arrive off the east coast
of Newfoundland in June, the Strait of Belle Isle in June and
July, and slightly later along the Labrador coast and Arctic
waters. They are found around the loose ice in April,
presumably feeding on harp seals, Pagophilus groenlandicus,
and hooded seals, Cystophora cristata, and are frequent in
the St. Lawrence estuary in spring and autumn following the

movements of the white whales. The northward movements
in spring also coincide with migrations of balaenopterine
whales, which have also been reported among the food items.
Killer whales may remain in arctic or subarctic waters until
driven out by new forming ice in October and November.
Though the migration has not been as thoroughly described,
killer whales apparently begin shifting southwards in
autumn.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded killer whales should be readily identifiable by
the robust body, the distinctive body markings, and in larger
animals the tall dorsal fin. Killer whales have from 10 to 12
large, prominent teeth on each side of the upper and lower
jaws.

Figure 89. — Killer whales are often distributed very close to shore. In these photos from Baja California, they are shown in two characteristic
behaviors— breaching (top) and "spy-hopping" or "pitchpoling" (bottom). (Photos by S. Leatherwood.)

Figure 90. — A leaping killer whale in California aquarium. Note the
distinctive coloration of the species, white on the lower jaw, the bcUy and
the anus, and on both sides above the anus. Note also the distinctive white
eye patch often visible on animals at sea. (Photo by D. K. Caldwell )

Figure 91. — Killer whales have from 10 to 12 large prominent teeth,
curved slightly backwards and inwards on each side of each jaw. {Photos
from Point Mugu, Calif, by S. Leatherwood. )

FALSE KILLER WHALE (T)

Pseudorca crassidens (Owen 1846)

Other Common Names

Mongoose (St. Vincent).

Description

False killer whales in the western North Atlantic reach a
length of at least 18 feet (5.5 cm). Males are slightly larger
than females. Calves from 5 to 7 feet (1.5 to 2.1 m) may be
seen at any time throughout the year.

The dorsal fin, located just behind the midpoint of the
back, is from 7 to 16 inches (17.8 to 40.6 cm) tall, falcate, and
variable to sharply pointed on the tip. The flippers are
characterized by a broad hump on the front margin near the
middle, a characteristic which is diagnostic for the species.

The body of the species is all black except for a blaze of
gray on the belly between the flippers. This blaze varies from
barely visible to light grayish white similar to but generally
fainter than that of pilot whales. The body is long and slender,
and the head is narrow and gently tapered from the area of
the blowhole forward.

Natural History Notes

False killer whales are a social form and may occur in
herds of up to at least 100 individuals. They often jump clear
of the water and frequently ride the bow waves of vessels.
They are the only "blackfish" which are known to do so. False
killer whales feed primarily on squid and large fishes and are
notorious for their habit of stealing fish from the lines of
fishermen. The large prominent teeth may be visible on a
swimming animal.

May Be Confused With

False killer whales may be confused with killer whales,
pilot whales, or the smaller, poorly known pygmy killer whale
(p. 138) and many-toothed blackfish (p. 142).

The characteristics distinguishing the species from the
killer whale are tabularized on p. 84; its differences from the
pilot whales are summarized on p. 92.

At sea, false killer whales are distinguishable from the
other two species primarily by their larger size and
differences in coloration. False killer whales are up to 18 feet
(5.5 m) in length. Pygmy killer whales and many-toothed
blackfish reach only 8-9 feet (2.4-2.7 m) in length. Pygmy
killer whales have an extensive region of white on the belly
which my extend onto the sides and both pygmy killer whales
and many toothed blackfish have a distinctive white region
on the lips, usually lacking or indistinct on false killer whales.

Neither of the smaller species of blackfish has been
reported to ride bow waves.

Distribution

False killer whales are widely distributed in the pelagic
tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate waters of the
western North Atlantic. They have been reported from off
Maryland south along the mainland coasts of North America,
in the Gulf of Mexico from Cuba and the Lesser Antilles, and
from the southeast Caribbean Sea. The species has been
reported from Venezuela.

False killer whales do not appear to occur frequently in
coastal waters, sandy bays, or estuaries, though entire herds

-^ - »»

Figure 92. - False killer whales at sea 600 miles (968.0 km) off northeastern Florida. Note the smoothly falcate
dorsal fin, pointed on the tip, and located near the midpoint of the back. Dorsal fins of this species may also be
rounded on the tip but all are sharply concaved on the rear margin. {Photo by H. E. Winn. )

Figure 93. -False killer whales are the only "blackfish" that routinely
ride the bow waves of vessels. On this animal riding on the bow wave of a
research ship, note the all-black coloration of the back, head, and sides
and the broad "hump" near the middle of the flippers on the leading edge.
^Photo 600 miUi [968 km] off northeattem Florida by H. E. Wirm.)

have stranded in such areas. Records from throughout the
range suggest that the species has an oceanic distribution.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded false killer whales can be positively identified
by: 1) the large size (to 18 feet [5.5 m]): 2) the slender body
tapering rapidly to a long slender head; 3) the markedly long
mouth, with from 8 to 11 large, conspicuous teeth in each side
of each jaw recalling those of the killer whale, but circular and
not, as in killer whales, elliptical; 4) the unusually shaped
flipper bulging conspicuously on the forward margin.

For comparison with "blackfish" of similar size (the pilot
whales) see p. 92 and 94.

Figure 94. — A false killer whale stranded in northeastern Florida. Note
the narrow tapering head, overhanging the lower jaw by several inches,
the position and shape of the dorsal fin and the distinctive "hump" on the
leading margin of the flippers. {Photo by W. A. Huck, courtesy of
Marineland of Florida. )

^**-

• '■

•'

'^vT^^

^.i«^

Figure 95. — Entire herds of false killer whales sometimes strand themselves. In this dorsal view of an animal stranded in southeastern Florida,
note the extremely distinctive "hump" on the forward margin of the flippers and the narrow head, tapering towards the tip of the snout. (Photo
byJ.KroL)

Figure 96. — False killer whales have from 8 to 11 large, conspicuous teeth in each side of
each jaw. These teeth are often visible in swimming animals, particularly when they are
engaged in their obnoxious habit of stealing fish from the lines of fishermen. The teeth are so
distinctive that they can also be used to identify even a badly decomposed stranded
specimen. (Photo, courtesy of Sea L^e Park, Haiuaii)

ATLANTIC PILOT WHALE (T)

Globicephala melaena (Traill 1809)

Other Common Names

Northern pilot whale, long-finned pilot whale, pothead,
blackfish. calling whale, caa'ing whale.

Description

Male Atlantic pilot whales reach an average length of at
least 20 feet (6.2 m). Females are slightly smaller, probably
not e.xceeding 18 feet (5.5 m). Young are 5-7 feet (1.5-2.1 m) at
birth.

The head is thick and bulbous, a characteristic which
reaches an extreme in the development of the head of adult
males (prompting the common name "pothead"). The flippers
are long (to one-fifth of the body length, or more) and
sickle shaped. The tail is dorsally thickened just in front of
the tlukes.

The dorsal fin of this species is one of its most distinctive
characteristics. It is low in profile, has a long base, is set far
forward on the animal's back, and is falcate to "flaglike" in
appearance. The dorsal fin of adult males reportedly has a
thicker leading edge and a rounder form than that of the
female.

Atlantic pilot whales are black on the back and sides
(prompting the common name "blackfish") but have an
anchor-shaped patch of grayish white on the chin and a gray
area on the belly, both of which are variable in extent and
intensity. Some larger animals have a gray saddle behind the
dorsal fin, though this zone of color is found more frequently

in short- finned pilot whales. Young animals are often a lighter
medium gray.

Natural History Notes

Atlantic pilot whales may occur in herds of 200 animals or
more, though herds of 50 or fewer (4-6) are more common.
They are sometimes found in association with Atlantic
white-sided dolphins.

Pilot whales are sometimes found hanging vertically in
the water with the head and part of the back out of the water
in what has been called "spy hopping" or "pitchpoKng."
Individuals frequently lobtail. Pilot whales infrequently
breach, a behavior which is usually confined to younger
animals. They do not ride bow waves.

Atlantic pilot whales feed primarily on squid but also take
cod and other fishes. A Pacific pilot whale, a closely related
species, was found by radio telemetric studies to be capable of
diving to 2,000 feet (609.6 m).

Atlantic pilot whales were formerly the object of an active
shore fishery off Newfoundland (1950-1971). In addition,
entire herds and, less frequently, individuals are sometimes
stranded.

May Be Confused With

Atlantic pilot whales are most likely to be confused with
false killer whales, with which they share the waters from off

Figure 97. -A herd of Atlantic pilot whales off Massachusetts. The most distinguishing field characteristic of this species and »' 'heir southern
crins, the short-finned pilot whales, is the highly distinctive dorsal fin. extremely long based, low in protJe, and set weU forward on the an.mals
backs. {Photo by W. A. WatkiTiS.)

Figure 98. — Atlantic pilot whales frequently "lob
tail" I raise the tail flukes above the surface and slap
them against the water) (top) and pitchpole or
spy-hop (hang vertically in the water with the head
up and the tail down) (bottom). (Photos from the
North Atlantic by H. E. Winn.

Virginia to those off Maryland. The two species may be
distinguished by the following characteristics:

Atlantic Pilot Whale

False Killer Whale

DORSAL FIN
Broad- based and falcate.

Slender, tall, falcate,
pointed on tip.

and

SHAPE OF HEAD

Thick and often squarish in
larger animals.

Slender, gently
mouth long.

tapering

Robust.

SHAPE OF BODY

Long and slender.

COLORATION

Black with gray saddle some-
times evident behind dorsal
fin and gray region on chin
and belly.

Mostly black with gray blaze
of variable extent and inten-
sity on belly between flip-
pers.

BEHAVIOR

Will not ride bow waves;
seldom breaches.

May ride bow waves, often
"porpoises" and breaches.

RANGE

Temperate waters from at
least North Carolina north.

Temperate seas from at least
Maryland south.

In the extreme southern portion of their range, Atlantic pi-
lot whales may be confused with short-finned pilot whales with
which they have only a limited seasonal common range. Char-
acters distinguishing these species are subtle and may not be
adequate to permit them to be distinguished at sea. For pur-
poses of this guide it is generally that pilot whales living north
of lat. 38°N (Virginia coast) are Atlantic pilot whales and
those living south of lat. 38°N are short-finned pilot whales.

Distribution

Atlantic pilot whales, the northernmost of the two pilot
whales species, are found in winter from the Grand Banks
south as far as North Carolina and in summer from Iceland
and Greenland south to the New Jersey coast. Winter
concentrations of pilot whales may be found off the
Newfoundland coast and near Cape Cod, Mass. Atlantic pilot
whales are distributed both in coastal waters and in deep
waters off the continental shelf.

Stranded Specimens

As discussed above, individuals and groups of pilot whales
frequently strand themselves for still incompletely under-
stood reasons. They may be identified as pilot whales
primarily by: 1) the robust body and bulbous head, which is
often squarish in adult animals, and 2) the broad-based,
falcate dorsal fin located far forward on the back. Accurate
determination of the pilot whale species involved in the
stranding may require museum preparation of the skull and
detailed examination of its characteristics. Preliminary
identification may be made, however, based on the follow-
ing:

Atlantic Pilot Whale Short-Finned Pilot Whale

FLIPPER LENGTH

To one-fifth body length, or To one sixth body length, or
more. less.

NORMAL RANGE
From North Carolina north. From North Carolina south.

TEETH
8-11 per row. 7 9 per row.

Fieure 99 - North Atlantic pilot whales on the deck of a whaling station in Newfoundland. The anchor-shaped patch on the chin and the gray color of the
belly are apparently more vivid and extensive in this species than in the short-finned pilot whales. Further, the fUpper is longer, measunng one-fifth of the
body length, or more, in adult animals. The flippers of short-finned pUot whales (see Fig. 102) measure one-sixth of the body length or less. U>hoto by J. h.
Mead.)

SHORT-FINNED PILOT WHALE (T)

Globicephalamacrorhynchus Gray 1846

Other Common Names

Blackfish (see also p. 84, 91, and 94).

Description

Male short finned pilot whales of the western North
Atlantic reach lengths of at least 17.5 feet (5.3 m). Females
are reportedly slightly smaller than males (recorded only to
15.5 feet 14.7 m]).

The head, somewhat like that of the Atlantic pilot whales
(p. 91), is thick and bulbous, a characteristic which reaches
its extreme in the development of a flattened or squarish
appearance to the front of the head in mature males (see
Fig. 101). In very old males the melon may overhang the
mouth up to several inches. The flippers are shorter than
those of the other pilot whale species of the western North
Atlantic (thus the common name short-finned pilot whale),
reaching only one-sixth of the body length or less. The tail is
dorsoventrally thickened just in front of the flukes.

The dorsal fin, like that of the Atlantic pilot whale, is one
of the species' most distinctive characteristics. It is low in
profile, has a long base, and is set far forward on the animal's
back.

Short-finned pilot whales are all black on the back sides
and most of the belly with an anchor-shaped patch of gray on
the chin and a gray area of varying extent and intensity on the
belly. These areas are less vivid and extensive than those on

Atlantic pilot whales. Younger animals are lighter, often
medium gray.

Natural History Notes

Short finned pilot whales are known to occur in groups of
60 animals or more, though smaller groups are more common.
They have been reported pitchpoling (spy-hopping), lob-
tailing, and — rarely — breaching.

Short-finned pilot whales feed on squid and fish.

May Be Confused With

In the tropical portion of their range, short- finned
pilot whales may be confused with pygmy killer
whales (p. 138) and many-toothed blackfish (p. 142).
They may be distinguished from both species pri-
marily by their distinctive dorsal fin and the bulbous-
to squarish head. Both pygmy killer whales and
many-toothed blackfish have dorsal fins, which are
more falcate, slender, and pointed on the tip, and have
longer, slenderer heads.

Throughout their range short-finned pilot whales may be
confused with false killer whales. The two species may be dis-
tinguished by the same differences which distinguish Atlan-
tic pilot whales from false killer whales (p. 91).

In the extreme northern portion of their range,

Figure 100. — Short-finned pilot whales stranded in northeastern Florida, shown here swimming in the lagoon at Marineland of Florida. This
species, Uke their northern cousins, the Atlantic pilot whales, have a highly distinctive dorsal fin and a bulbous head (see Figs. 97, 99i. In these
photos note the variation in the shape of the head. Those of females and immature males are more rounded. Those of adult males are far more
blunted. (Photo courtesy of Marmeland of Florida.)

short-finned pilot whales may be confused with Atlantic pilot
whales. The two species may be distinguished by differences
itemized on p. 93.

Distribution

Though short- finned pilot whales are known from
Delaware Bay, their normal range appears to extend from
Bermuda and Cape Hatteras (Virginia in summer) south
to the Venezuelan coast. They have been reported for
the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and the islands of the
West Indies.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded short finned pilot whales may be confused with
any of the species itemized under living animals. They may be
identified as pilot whales primarily by the robust body and
bulbous head, often squarish in adult animals, and the
broad-based, falcate dorsal fin located well forward on the

animal's back. Accurate determination of the pilot whale
species involved may require museum preparation of the
skull and detailed examination of its characteristics.
Preliminary identification may be made, however, on the
basis of the following:

Atlantic Pilot Whale

Short-Finned Pilot Whale

DISTRIBUTION

Primarily North Carolina Primarily Norih Carolina
north. south.

FLIPPERS

To one-fifth body length, or To less than one sixth body
more. length.

8-11 per row.

TEETH

7-9 per row.

-iZ *^?:^^,

Figure 101 . — Short-finned pilot whales have from 7 to 10 teeth in each side of each jaw. The bulbous forehead of the species is far less pronounced in females
and immature males (leftK The head of mature males is extremely "squarish" and may overhang the lower jaw by several inches (right). (Photos from
Aquatarium [left] and southeastern Florida by D. K. Caldwell [right].)

Figure 102. —The flippers of short-finned pilot whales reach
only about one-sixth of the body length, while those of the
Atlantic pilot whale may be one-fifth the body length or more.
Note the length of the flippers of the pilot whale in the
background, relative to its overall length. (Photo from South
Carolina by J. G. Mead. )

GRAMPUS (T)

Grampus griseus (G. Cuvier 1812)

Other Common Names

Risso's dolphin, gray grampus, white-headed grampus,
mottled grampus, Risso's porpoise, hard knocks (St.
Vincent), white blackfish (Cape Cod).

Description

Grampus reach a maximum length of about 13 feet (4 m).
The body is robust, particularly in front of the dorsal fin, and
lacks a distinct beak. The head is somewhat bulbous and is
marked on the front by a V-shaped crease with the point
downwards, which divides the melon into two parts. The
flippers are long and pointed on the tips. The dorsal fin,
located at about the midpoint of the body, is tall, to 15 inches
(38.1 cm) or more, and distinctly falcate. The body narrows
rapidly behind the dorsal fin and the tail stock is quite
narrow. The flukes are broad, concaved on the rear margin,
and deeply notched.

The bodies of grampus are a uniform light gray at birth.
As the animals age, their color darkens to almost black with
distinctive regions of grayish white on the belly and chest.
The body of older adults is cream white or silver gray,
particularly on the head, with numerous scars, presumably
from encounters with other grampus and perhaps with the
squid, which are one of the species' major food items.

The flippers, dorsal fin, and tail flukes usually remain
dark even in adults.

Natural History Notes

Grampus are found in herds of up to several hundred
individuals and may be seen "porpoising" (leaping from the
water) as they surface to breathe, and breaching. They
sometimes ride the bow waves of a boat.

Grampus feed on fish and squid.

May Be Confused With

From a distance grampus are most easily confused with
Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins. They may be most readily
distinguished by the following differences:

Atlantic Bottlenosed
Grampus Dolphin

SIZE

To 13 feet (4 m).

Rarely to 12 feet (3.7 m);
usually less than 10 feet (3.1
m).

BODY COLOR

Young are uniform light
g^ay; older animals dark
with grayish regions on chest
and belly; very old animals
white and scarred.

Dark gray on body; lighter
gray on sides; white or pink
on belly; may appear brown-
ish in water.

To 15 inches
sharply falcate;
tip.

DORSAL FIN

(38.1 cm); To 12 inches (30.5 cm); less
pointed on sharply falcate; pointed on
tip.

HEAD COLOR AND SHAPE

Blunted and creased on
front; frequently all white in
larger animals.

Uniformly brownish to g^ay
distinctly bottlenosed.

MARKINGS

Very often extensively scar-
red.

Less frequently scratched
and scarred.

Figure 103.— Grampus are frequently found in small tight groups "porpoising." From a distance they may resemble the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins,
though grampus have taller dorsal fins, blunted beakless heads, and lighter coloration. [Photo off Washington State by C. Fiscua.)

■'-""■..^J^"'*'***-'

Figure 104.— Grampus otf Fistler, Scotland
(top) and from Baja California in the tank of Sea
World, Inc., San Diego, Calif, (bottom). Note
the tall pointed dorsal fin, which remains dark
even in adult animals, the blunted head, which
lacks a beak, and the extensive scarring of the
body. In the photo on the right, note also the
long pointed flippers and the white head
characteristic of older animals. {Pkotos by
A. S. Clark [top] and courtesy ofD. K. Caldwell
[bottom].)

Distribution

Stranded Specimens

Grampus are known to be distributed in temperate and
tropical seas from at least eastern Newfoundland, south at
least to St. Vincent, Lesser Antilles, and in the eastern and
northern Gulf of Mexico. The species may not be as rare as the
paucity of records suggests. Though they have been seen in
Buzzards Bay on several occasions, grampus generally have
an oceanic range and, along the Atlantic coast of North
America, may be distributed from the Gulf Stream seaward,
outside the theater of normal boating traffic.

Stranded grampus are most readily identifiable by 1) the
presence of only seven, or fewer, teeth in each side of the
lower jaw (many of those teeth may have dropped out in older
animals and remaining teeth may be extensively worn) and
the absence of teeth in the upper jaw; 2) the presence of a
distinct crease or bifurcation in the melon on the extreme
front of the head; 3) the presence of numerous scratches and
scars all over the body; and 4) the tall, slender, sharply falcate
dorsal fin which may be more than 15 inches (38.1 cm) tall.

Figure 105. —Grampus, particularly younger animals, have two regions of
grayish-white on the ventral surface , one in front of the flippers and another
beginning on the belly narrowing towards the tail. These markings closely
resemble the ventral marking of pilot whales. {Photos courtesy of Marine-
land of Florida.)

Figure 106. - Stranded grampus can be readily identified. On this captive
animal note the blunted head, the distinct crease on the front of the head
(see also Fig. 107), and the extensive scarring of the body. [Photo
courtesy of D. K. Caldwell)

Figure 107. —Grampus have seven or fewer teeth in each side of the lower
jaw. (None in the upper jaw.) Many of these teeth may have fallen out of
older specimens, and the remaining teeth may be extensively
worn. (Photo courtesy of Marmeland of Florida.)

BELUGA (T)

Delphinaptems leucas (Pallas 1776)

Other Common Names

White porpoise, white
marsouin blanc (Quebec).

whale, belukha, sea canary.

Description

Belugas reach a maximum overall length of about 16 feet
(4.9 m). Males are slightly larger than females. In the western
North Atlantic they have been found to grow to greatest
lengths in oceanic environments near the southern
e.xtremities of their ranges, though they are found in far
greater abundance in estuarine areas of the Arctic. Belugas
have extremely robust bodies tapering to a distinct "neck"
region and a very small head relative to body size.

They do not have a dorsal fin. Instead, along the back just
behind the midpoint there is a narrow ridge notched laterally
to form a series of small bumps. These ridges may be clearly
visible on a swimming animal.

Newborn belugas are brown. As they age, they gradually
lighten through slate gray, and by their sixth or seventh year
have assumed the all-white coloration characteristic of adult
animals.

Natural History Notes

Belugas feed on a variety of fishes (including cod and
capelin), on squid, and on a variety of benthic crustaceans.

They are frequently found in shallow bays and river
mouths, where the young are born, and occasionally ascend
rivers.

May Be Confused With

Because of their limited distribution, all-white coloration
and lack of a dorsal fin, belugas are unlikely to be confused
with any other species of cetacean.

Figure 108 - A group of three belugas surfacing to breathe off northwestern Alaska. The animal to the right has just begun to exhale, the middle ammal is
in the midst of his inhalation, and the animal on the left has completed his blow and is preparing to dive. Note the aU-white coloration and, on the center
animal, the small dorsal ridge just emerging from the water. DetaUs of the dorsal ridge are clearly visible in the inset photograph. {Photos by O. C. Kay

and K. G. Hewlett [inset].)

Figure. 109— Note the robust form and the small head of this swimming beluga off northwestern Alaska. {Photo

by G. C. Ray. )

Figure 110. -Captive belugas at Vancouver public aquarium. Note the dorsal ridge, the shape of the head and body, and the unusually shaped flippers.

[Photo byK. C. Bakomb.)

100

Distribution

Belugas have been reported from the Arctic Circle south
as far as eastern Connecticut, typically in estuarine habitats,
though they do range into oceanic regions. They are most
abundant from the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence
northward. They remain near the Arctic Circle and in Hudson
Bay to northern Greenland during winter, undertaking
migrations to the south in autumn, straggling to the Maritime
Provinces and as far as Connecticut. Belugas are regularly
seen in the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers throughout
late spring and summer. Return migrations to the north take
place in spring.

A small population in the estuary of St. Lawrence is
resident throughout the year.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded belugas are unlikely to be confused with any
other species of cetaceans. The all-white coloration, the
robust body shape with a rather small head and a distinct
neck region, and the presence of 8-11 teeth in each of the
upper jaws and 8-9 in each of the lower jaws permit positive
identification.

Figure 111. — Ventral view of a beluga harpooned in the northeastern Canadian Esldmo Fishery. Note the very narrow tail, just in front of the flukes, and
the robust form of the species. Belugas have B-9 teeth in each of the lower jaws, and 8-11 in each of the upper jaws. (Photo by P. F. Brodie.)

101

NARWHAL (T)

Monodonmonoceros Linnaeus 1758

Other Common Names

Unicorn whale (historical name not currently in use).

Description

The narwhal, also known as the unicorn whale because of
the long tusk found on adult males, is one of two
medium- sized whales found in the Arctic waters of the
northwestern Atlantic. They reach a maximum length of
from 15 to 16 feet (4.6 to 4.9 m) excluding the tusk. Newborn
calves are approximately 5 feet (1.5 m) long. Narwhals have
small rounded heads and a small mouth. Like the other
medium-sized whale in the same region, the beluga or white
whale, the narwhal has no dorsal fin. Instead, it has a series of
bumps, approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm) high along the
midline of the back in the half nearest the tail. The ridge
created by these bumps may be readily seen on a swimming
animal.

The basic coloration of the species changes slightly with
age. Young animals are uniformly dark bluish gray on the

back but rapidly begin to develop the numerous leopardlike
spots on the back and sides characteristic of adults. Those
spots rarely extend onto the belly even in old animals.

Narwhals have only two teeth. In the females, these teeth
rarely emerge from the gums. In males, one and sometimes
both of those teeth grow out the front of the snout, spiraling
in a left-hand or sinistral direction, and may reach a length
of 9 feet (2.7 m). One or two tusks may also be exposed,
however, in females.

Natural History Notes

The function of the tusk in male narwhals is unknown, but
it was this feature of the animal that earned it the name
"unicorn whale" and resulted in its extensive hunting by
whalers. During their annual migrations narwhals may
congregate but are commonly found in groups of 10 or fewer
during the rest of the year.

Narwhals feed on a variety of organisms, including cod,
rockfish, flounder, and crabs, but their diet consists primarily
of squid.

'^\*^

-^•awmii

Figure 1 12. - In this photo of narwhals, the origin of the name "unicorn whale" is apparent. The animal at the right, an adult male, exposes his tusk
as he surfaces aggressively to breathe. Even when this feature is not observed, however, the narwhals' mottled gray coloration makes them easy to
distinguish from the all-white belugas, with which they share a common range. Note also the dorsal ridge on the animal to the left. {Photo by D.
Lusby, courtesy of the Sea Library. )

102

Distribution

Narwhals are found in the high arctic seas of the western
North Atlantic, primarily in Lancaster Sound and its fringes.
It has been noted that they are found in isolated pockets
within that ran^e and are not, like the beluga, widely
distributed.

Narwhals make annual migrations in response to the
movement of the ice. During the fall as the ice begins to
form, the whales migrate to the south, sometimes reach-
ing the Labrador coast. In the spring they return to the
pack ice.

May Be Confused With

Narwhals are so different in coloration from the only
medium-sized cetacean which shares its range and

habitat— the beluga— that the two are highly unlikely to be
confused. Belugas are usually all white or light slate gray in
color, while narwhals are very much darker, ranging from
bluish gray to brownish, and are often covered with light
leopardlike spots. Furthermore, the body of the beluga is
more robust.

Further, swimming narwhals frequently buck their heads
up to breathe, a behavior which makes the tusk of adult males
visible and permits positive identification.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded narwhals should be easily identifiable by the
distinctive coloration and the unique characteristics of the
teeth. In adults, one or two of the teeth may develop into the
long, left-hand spiraling tusk, shown in Figures 112 and 114.
Immature animals have no teeth which are emerged.

Figure 113. — A juvenOe narwhal in a tank at New York Aquarium. Though newborn animals are dark bluish
gray on the back, fading to white on the belly, note that the mottled gray coloration characteristic of adults is
well developed even in relatively young animals. The white region on the head is lanolin cream, applied to
protect the animal's skin during transport. (Photo by H. E. Wmn.)

i&B*^-

Figure 1 14. — A stranded male narwhal. The long unicorn tusk is the spiral extension of one of the two teeth, though the other may be exposed above the
gimis in males and may even develop into a second long tusk; both teeth of females are normally buried in the gums and rarely emerge. Note the highly
distinctive dorsal ridge, near the midpoint of the back, photos by D. Luaby, courtesy of the Sea Library.)

103

ATLANTIC SPOTTED DOLPHIN (T)

SteneUaplagiodon (Cope 1866)

Other Common Names

Spotter, Gulf Stream spotted dolphin, spotted porpoise,
long-snouted dolphin."

Description

Atlantic spotted dolphins reach a maximum adult length
of 7.5, perhaps 8 feet (2.3 to2.4 m). They are generally more
robust in body shape than the other species of Stenella,
closely resembling Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins in that
regard, though the Atlantic spotted dolphins tend to be more
slender.

The dorsal fin is distinctly back-curved and pointed on the
tip, also closely resembling that of the Atlantic bottlenosed
dolphin.

As the common name suggests, the Atlantic spotted
dolphins are marked dorsally with numerous grayish-white
spots on a darker background and ventrally with dark spots

' ' See also p. 110. The common name "long-snouted dolphin" was once
widely used for this species. It is now more frequently used for Stenella
longirostris. also known as the spinner dolphin.

on a lighter background, though the extent of the spotting
and the additional details of coloration change with age.

Immature animals lack spots completely. They are dark
gray or purplish gray on the back, becoming lighter gray on
the sides and white on the belly. The cape along the back is
distinctly separated from the lighter gray coloration of the
sides. The flippers and the trailing edge of the flukes are
darker than the rest of the body.

As they age, the Atlantic spotted dolphins develop
grayish-white spots, first low on the sides, spreading
upward. During this stage, the cape becomes less distinct,
and dark spotting begins to develop on the belly, the spots
increasing in number with increasing age. In adult animals,
the belly is often extensively covered with dark blotches but
never becomes completely black. The lips may be white, and
the beak is characteristically tipped with white, a feature
which may aid in identification at sea.

The Atlantic spotted dolphins have a spinal blaze and a
light line which extends from the flipper to the eye.

Natural History Notes

Little is known of the natural history of the Atlantic
spotted dolphins. The species occurs in herds of up to several

Figure 115. — Atlantic spotted dolphins beside a research vessel off Beaufort, N.C., September 1965. Adults of this species can be identified by
the spotting pattern and the white coloration of the lips. (See also bridled dolphin, p. 108.) Young animals which lack spots may be confused
with the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins though they are smaller and are purplish gray on the back. {Photo by G. T. Green.)

104

hundred individuals, though groups of 50 or fewer (6-10) are
more common. They are often seen jumping clear of the water
and habitually ride the bow wave of moving vessels. As they
do. the distinct cape or band of purplish gray on the back of
younger animals and the spotting pattern of older animals
may be visible.

Atlantic spotted dolphins feed primarily on squid but may
also take carangid fishes, small eels, herring, or ancho-
vies.

May Be confused With

Atlantic spotted dolphins, particularly young animals,
may be easily confused with Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins
because of the similarities in color pattern and general body
shape. However, the Atlantic spotted dolphins have
considerable purplish gray in their background colors and the
Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins are more dark gray to brownish
gray. This along with considerable differences in the overall
sizes of the two species should permit positive identification.
In general, the key differences between spotted and
bottlenosed dolphins are as follows:

HEAD AND BEAK

Head more slender; beak
longer; lips and top of snout
often white.

Head robust; beak short;
beak usually uniformly gray
(older animals' beak may be
white at tip).

NORMAL DISTRIBUTION

Usually found more than 5
miles offshore; most common
inside 100-fathom curve.

Usually more coastal, often
ascending rivers and enter-
ing lagoonal and estuarine
areas.

Young Atlantic spotted dolphins are so similar in
appearance to the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins that the
frequent reports of mixed schools of the two species are
probably occasioned by groups of spotted dolphins which
include some young, still unspotted animals.

Atlantic spotted dolphins might also be confused with
bridled dolphins. The two can be most readily distinguished
by the following characteristics:

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Bridled Dolphin

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

Atlantic Bottlenosed
Dolphin

MAXIMUM SIZE

To 7.5-8 feet (2.3-2.4 m).

To 8-10 feet (2.4-3.1 m)
inshore, to as much as 12 feet
(3.7 m) offshore.

BODY COLOR

Dark purplish gray on back;
lighter gray on sides and
belly; body becomes increas-
ingly spotted with age.

Dark gray on back; lighter
gray on sides; white or pink
on belly (old animals may
have a few spots on belly, but
most are not spotted).

BODY SHAPE
Usually robust, often like More slender, more like that
that of the Atlantic bottle- of the Atlantic striped dol-
nosed dolphin. phin.

BODY

Spotted; purplish gray on
back; lighter gray on sides
and belly becoming increas-
ingly spotted with age. As
animals becomes more spot-
ted, cape become less dis-
tinct. Body has spinal blaze
and light line from flipper to
eye.

COLOR
Spotted; side of head light
gray; body has stripe from
flipper to corner of mouth,
though the stripe tends to
fade as spotting increases.
Cape on top of head more
distinct that on Atlantic
spotted dolphin. Body has no
spinal blaze.

Figure 116. — A side view of two female Atlantic
spotted dolphins from off St. Augustine, Fla. in the
tank at Marineland of Florida. Note the tall falcate
dorsal fin, pointed on the tip and varying slightly in
shape between the two individuals, and the spots on
the body. {Photo by S. Leatherwood.)

105

Figure 117. — A series showing the development of the color pattern of the Atlantic spotted dolphins from Florida. Newborn or young animals are dark
purplish gray on the back, grading to immaculate white on the belly. As they mature, animals develop light spots, first on the lower sides, then higher on the
back, and dark spots on the belly. As spotting increases, the cape becomes less distinct. (Photos by A. SoUs [a], D. K. Caldwell (6, c], and courtesy of
Marmeland of Florida (4 e, /]. )

106

At sea the Atlantic spotted dolphins may also be confused
with rough-toothed dolphins (p. 135).

Distribution

Atlantic spotted dolphins are a common species in the
continental waters of the tropical and warm temperate
western North Atlantic. Although they are far more
abundant south of Cape Hatteras, they have been reported
from the latitude of Cape May. N.J. (some fishermen claim to
have seen them even further north) south through the Gulf of
Mexico and the Caribbean to Venezuela. Atlantic spotted
dolphins may be replaced around the West Indies by the
bridled dolphin.

Within this range, the Atlantic spotted dolphins appear to
be generally restricted to the waters outside the 100-fathom
curve, most commonly more than .5 miles offshore. However,

populations in the Gulf of Mexico move inshore in the late
spring, and may approach close to shore during spring and
summer.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded Atlantic spotted dolphins may be difficult to
distinguish from bridled dolphins. If the color pattern is still
clearly visible, the differences in coloration described above,
particularly those of the head, and the presence or absence of
a spinal blaze may be used. But since external appearance
other than coloration are often very similar, specimens
should be photographed from as many aspects as possible and
the entire specimen or the roughed-out complete skeleton
transported to a museum for preparation and examination.
Tooth counts recorded for the two species to date are also
verv similar.

Figure 118 — Juvenile Atlantic spotted dolphins at
sea in the southeastern Caribbean. Although
spotters can be either relatively short-snouted and
chunky or long-snouted and slightly built, the
spinal blaze, flipper-to-eye stripe, white lips, and
falcate dorsal fin can be used to identify
them. [Photo by D. Poppe.)

Figure 119. — A captive Atlantic spotted dolphin
from off St. Augustine, Fla. This species has from
30 to 36 teeth in each upper jaw and from 28 to 35 in
each lower jaw. fewer than all other S(^«e^/a except
perhaps the bridled dolphin, fewer than the
saddleback dolphins, but more than the Atlantic
bottlenosed dolphins. {Photo by S. Leatherwood. )

1 ■

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107

BRIDLED DOLPHIN (T)

Stenella frontalis (G. Cuvier 1829)

Other Common Names

Bridled spotted dolphin, Cuvier's dolphin, gamin (St.
Vincent), bridled porpoise.

Description

Bridled dolphins, the second species of spotted dolphins in
the western North Atlantic, reach an adult length of at least
7 feet (2.1 m). Like the other, the Atlantic spotted dolphin
(p. 104), bridled dolphins are characterized by light grayish-
white spots on the dark dorsal portions of the body and dark
spots on the light ventral surface. Other details of the
coloration differ somewhat. Bridled dolphins are dark gray
on the back, fading to lighter gray on the sides and belly.
They lack the spinal blaze characteristic of Atlantic spotted
dolphins. Except on the head, the border between the back
and side colors is indistinct. On the head, the cape (the dark
color of the! top of the head) is distinct. In the light g^ay of
the side of the head are the markings from which the species
derives its common name, "bridled dolphin." These are a
black circle around the eye with an extension to the junction
(apex) of the rostrum and the melon (present in nearly all
dolphins) and a broad black stripe from the origin of the
flipper to the corner of the mouth. This mouth-to-flipper
stripe tends to fade as spotting increases. Both the upper
and lower lips are white or pinkish.

Natural History Notes

Virtually nothing is known of the natural history of
bridled dolphins except that they have been observed in small
herds of from 5 to 30 individuals and sometimes ride the bow
wave of a vessel.

May Be Confused With

At sea, bridled dolphins may be confused with Atlantic
spotted dolphins or spinner dolphins. Differences by which
they may be distinguished from the first are tabularized on
p. 105. Differences between spinner and bridled dolphins
permitting identification at sea are as follows:

Bridled Dolphin

Spinner Dolphin

COLORATION

Distinct cape on top of head;
side of head light gray;
distinct stripes from flippers
to corner of mouth and from
dark circles around eye to
apex of melon.

Dark gray on back; tan or
yellowish tan on sides; white
on belly.

BEAK

Shorter and more slender; all
black; lips white.

Extremely long and slender;
dark gray to black on top,
white below; lips black.

DORSAL FIN

Uniformly dark gray.

Distribution

Often lighter gray in middle,
dark around border.

Bridled dolphins occur in tropical and subtropical waters
primarily near coastal areas and islands, but are best known
from the West Indies. They have been reported from the
Antilles, from Texas, and from Florida north to North
Carolina. It has been speculated that this species replaces the
Atlantic spotted dolphin around the West Indies.

Bridled dolphins have not yet been described from the
South American coast.

Stranded Specimens

Bridled dolphins have from 29 to 34 teeth in each upper
jaw and from 33 to 36 in each lower jaw. They can be
distinguished from spinner dolphins, which have 46-65 teeth
in each jaw, by this character alone.

They may be distinguished from spotted dolphins only if
the color pattern of the head is clearly visible. If it has faded,
the specimen will probably require museum preparation and
examination before it can be positively identified.

108

uyfli

IpH

Figure 120. - A bridled dolphin harpooned in the commercial whale fishery off St. Vincent, Lesser Antilles. If the color pattern has faded, bridled dolphins
cannot be readily distinguished from the Atlantic spotted dolphins and must be sent to a museum for preparation and examination of the skull and
skeleton. (PAoto hy W. A. Huck, courtesy of MarmeUmd of Florida.)

Figure 121. — A bridled dolphin from St. Vincent, Lesser Antilles. Note the dark cape of the back, the
lighter side, and the dark stripes from the eye to the snout (found in most dolphin species) and the flipper to
the gape, a feature which fades as the animal's spotting increases. Together these two features comprise
the "bridle" from which the common name derives. Note also the white lips and the white lower jaw.
(Photo by J. R. Sullivan.)

109

SPINNER DOLPHIN (T)

Stenella longirostris Gray 1828

Other Common Names

Long-snouted dolphin, long-beaked porpoise, spinner
porpoise, rollover (St. Vincent).

Description

Spinner dolphins reach a maximum length of about 7 feet
(2.1 m). The body is slender. The beak varies from extremely
long and slender (Fig. 123) to relatively short (Fig. 125); the
beak is usually dark on top and clean white below, though
there may be some white above. The tip of the snout and the
lips are distinctly black, while those of both species of spotted
dolphins are light. The back is dark gray to black, the sides
are tan to yellowish brown, and the belly is white. Some of the
larger animals appear almost all black with faint, light
speckling. The dorsal fin is generally moderately falcate, but
may be almost triangular in adult males. It is often a lighter
gray near the middle, bordered by black or dark gray.

Natural History Notes

Spinner dolphins derive their common name from
their habit of leaping clear of the water and spinning
on their longitudinal axis. The reasons for this behavior
are unknown. Individuals may rotate 2 times, or more,
in one leap but spinning behavior is not observed as
frequently in the western North Atlantic as it is in the
eastern tropical Pacific.

Spinner dolphins occur in herds of up to several hundred
individuals and are often seen jumping clear of the water,
working the sea surface into a froth. They frequently come to

the bow of a boat from considerable distances to ride in the
bow wave and may ride for protracted periods.

May Be Confused With

Spinner dolphins may be confused with saddleback
dolphins. Both species occur in large herds and often come to
moving vessels to ride the bow wave. The two can be
distinguished, however, by these differences:

Spinner Dolphin

Saddleback Dolphin

COLORATION

Dark gray on back; tan or
yellowish tan on sides; white
on belly; lacks crisscross
pattern on sides; distinct
black stripe from flipper to
eye.

Dark gray to brownish gray
on" back; white on belly with
crisscross or hourglass pat-
tern of tan to yellow on sides;
distinct black stripe from
flipper to middle of lower
jaw.

Spinner dolphins might also be confused with bridled
dolphins, but may be distinguished by the differences
summarized on p. 108.

Distribution

Spinner dolphins are distributed in oceanic and coastal
tropical waters. Though one specimen was collected from
South Carolina, they have been more frequently reported
from both coasts of Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the
Caribbean, and the West Indies. They have also been

jr . — »-

"■^^

Fi^re 122. — Spinner dolphins occur in large herds
in tropical waters. As illustrated by these photos of
animals off Venezuela in 1969, spinner dolphins
often leap clear of the water and may come to a
moving vessel from considerable distances away to
frolic in its bow wave. {Photo by M. Bartlett.)

110

Figure 123. — A spinner dolphin jumping
close beside a research vessel off the Virgin
Islands. The distinctive color pattern (gray
on the back, tan on the sides, and white on
the belly) is clearlvvisible. The black-tipped
rostrum and the black lips are key
characters to this species. {Photo by C.
McCann. )

reported from Venezuela. They are said to be the most
abundant dolphin species from the southeastern Caribbean.
Some Pacific spinner dolphins are distributed in oceanic
zones. Atlantic spinners may be abundant in offshore tropical
waters as well.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded spinner dolphins are most readily identified by
the extremely long rostrum and the 46-65 teeth, far more
than any other species of dolphin. Note that the striped
dolphins may have from 43 to 50 teeth per side in each jaw.
However, striped dolphins are decidedly larger (to about 9
feet [2.7 m]), have a shorter beak, and are distinctly marked
with dark stripes from the eye to the flipper, from the eye to
the anus, and from the area behind the dorsal fin forward,
towards but not reaching the head.

Saddleback dolphins also have from 40 to 50 teeth on each
side but are also easily distinguishable by the differences in
coloration discussed above for living animals at sea.

Figure 124.— Spinner dolphins are active bow
riders and may stay with a vessel for long periods of
time. {Photo from off the Virgin Islands by H. E.
Wirm.)

Ill

Figure 125. — Although all spinner dolphins so far examined have the same basic characteristics, the degree of expression of those characteristics varies
from individual to individual or area to area. These small short-snouted dolphins (those on bottom stranded near St. Petersburg, Fla. and maintained
alive by the Aquatarium in that city, and those on top photographed at sea. off the northwestern Africa coast in 1972) are spinners, although their
classification is uncertain. There may be several species or geographical races of spinners in the Atlantic. {Photos courtesy of W. F. Perm [top] and
Aquatarium [bottom].)

Figure 126. — A spinner dolphin harpooned in the fishery at St. Vincent, Lesser Antilles. Even aher subtle aspects of the color paUem have faded, this
species can be readily identified by the 46-65 teeth in both upper and lower jaws and by the distinctly black lips and black-tipped rostrum. {Photo by W. A.
Huck, courtesy of Marmeland of Florida. )

112

STRIPED DOLPHIN (T)

SteneUacoemkoalba (Meyen 1833)

Other Common Names

Euphrosyne dolphin (SteneUa styx), Meyen's dolphin,
blue-white dolphin, Gray's dolphin, striped porpoise,
streaker porpoise.

Striped Dolphin

Saddleback Dolphin

LENGTH

To about 9 feet (2.7 m)
more.

Seldom greater than 7.5 feet

(2.3 m).

Description

The striped dolphin is a widely distributed relative of the
spinner and the Atlantic spotted dolphins, though it more
closely resembles saddleback dolphins than either of these
two species. It reaches a maximum length of about 9 feet (2.7
m) and is characterized by a series of distinctive black stripes.
One band of black begins near the eye and extends down the
side of the body to the area of the anus. (A small secondary
stripe originating with this band turns off and disappears in
the white coloration of the side just above the flippers.) A
second band of black extends from the eye to the flipper.
Some workers have contended that striped dolphins are
separable into distinct species depending on whether the
eye-to-flipper stripe has one (S. coerufeoaZfea) or two (S. styx)
components.

Most individuals have an additional distinctive finger of
black coloration which extends from the black coloration
behind the dorsal fin forward towards and about halfway to
the eye. It is this feature which is most distinctive in animals
riding the bow or leaping clear of the water. The back is dark
gray to bluish gray, the sides are lighter gray, and the belly is
white.

Natural History Notes

Though little is known of this species, it has been reported
in herds of up to several hundred individuals and apparently
exhibits behaviors very similar to those of the saddleback
dolphins (p. 116), frequently jumping clear of the water.
Atlantic and Mediterranean animals have been reported to
bow ride.

May Be Confused With

This species is most likely to be confused with the
saddleback dolphin, which it closely resembles. The two may
be distinguished by the following characteristics:

COLORATION

Back basically black or
brownish; distinct white
chest or belly patch; hour-
glass or crisscross pattern on
the sides; distinct black
stripe from flipper to middle
of lower jaw.

Back from light gray to dark
gray to bluish gray; sides
gray; belly gray or white;
distinctive black lateral
stripping from 1) eye to flip-
per, 2) eye to anus, and 3)
dark color behind dorsal fin
forward, towards but not
reaching head.

Distribution

Striped dolphins are widely distributed in the temperate,
subtropical, and tropical seas of the western North Atlantic.
They have been reported from at least Halifax, Nova Scotia,
south as far as Jamaica. (Additional records, purportedly
from southern Greenland, involved a museum specimen.
Since striped dolphins of the eastern North Atlantic are rare
north of England, the species occurrence near Greenland
would be highly improbable.) Individuals have recently been
reported from the Gulf of Mexico.

Despite this wide distribution, striped dolphins appear to
prefer warmer waters and are probably normally confined to
the Gulf Stream or the waters off the continental slope.
Individuals appearing to the north of the range seem to have
ventured northward with fingers of warm water.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded striped dolphins should be readily identifiable
by the highly distinctive patterns of lateral striping
discussed above for living animals. If the color pattern has
faded, they may still be identified by their size, larger than
other dolphin species of similar appearance, and the
relatively large number of teeth (43-50 per side in both
upper and lower jaws). Only the spinner dolphin, much
smaller in body length and having a much longer beak, has
more teeth (46-65 per side in each jaw).

113

Figure 127. — Despite some similarities in appearance and behavior to saddleback dolphins, striped dolphins can be readily
identified by the prominent dark stripes on the side of the body. These striped dolphins were photographed between the
Caribbean Islands of Curacao and Bonaire in 1972. (Photo by D. Poppe.)

Figure 128. — When they ride the bow, the most apparent characteristic of striped dolphins is usually the dark streak beginniug in
the black coloration behind the dorsal fin and extending forward towards but not reaching the head. This stripe is not always
present, however, and the species may sometimes appear uniformly pale gray from a distance. (Photo from the tropical Atlantic
byH. E. Winn.)

114

Figure 129. — Stranded striped dolphins. Note the distinctive black stripes II eye to flipper, 2) eye to anus, and 3) (on top animal) from black behind
dorsal fin forward towards but not reaching the head. Some workers contend that striped dolphins are separable into two species, depending on
whether the eye-to- flipper stripe has one {SteneUa coeruleoalba) or two (S. styx) components. Others contend that the two belong to the same species
(S. coeruleoalba). Striped dolphins have from 43 to 50 teeth in each upper and lower jaw. {Photos from Japan by W. E. Scheinll [top] and from Indi-
an Rock» Beach, Flo. by W. A. Huck, courtesy of Marmeland of Florida [bottom].)

115

SADDLEBACK DOLPHIN (T)

Delpkinus delphis Linnaeus 1758

Other Common Names

Saddleback porpoise, common dolphin, crisscross
dolphin.

Description

Saddleback dolphins reach a maximum overall length of
about 8.5 feet (2.6 m) though most individuals are less than
7.5 feet (2.3 m) long. Males are slightly larger than females of
the same age.

The body shape varies slightly but usually closely re-
sembles that of the striped dolphin (p. 113). The dorsal fin
varies from nearly triangular to distinctly falcate and is
pointed on the tip. It is sometimes all black and sometimes
black on the borders with a lighter grayish region of varying
size near the middle.

The back is basically black or brownish black, but this
coloration aiid the extent of the striping patterns that form
the impression of a saddle and the degree of color distinction
between the different zones are highly variable.

The chest and belly are cream white to white and are the
most distinctive features from a distance. Up close, the sides
will be seen to be distinctly marked with an hourglass or
crisscross pattern of tan or yellowish tan. This crisscross
pattern is diagnostic for the species.

The rostrum is intermediate in length and shape between
that of thespinner and that of the striped dolphin and is often
black with a white tip.

Natural History Notes

Saddleback dolphins are often seen in herds of a thousand
or more and are often very active, many animals leaping clear
of the water at any time. Like spinner dolphins, saddleback
dolphins are active bow-riders and often come to the boat
from considerable distances. Once on the bow they often ride
for extended periods of time.

Saddleback dolphins feed on squid and on a variety of
fishes, including anchovies, myetophids, and hake.

May Be Confused With

Saddleback dolphins might easily be confused with
striped dolphins and must be examined closely to be
distinguished from them. Primary differences apparent in
encounters at sea are as follows:

Saddleback Dolphin

Striped Dolphin

Back basically black or
brownish; distinct white
chest or belly patch; hour-
glass or crisscross pattern on
sides, some tan to yellowish

COLORATION

Back from light g^ay to dark
gray to bluish gray; sides
gray; belly gray or white;
distinctive black lateral
striping from 1) eye to

tan; distinct
from flipper
lower jaw.

black stripe
to middle of

nipper, 2) eye to anus, and 3)
dark color behind dorsal fin
forward, towards but not
reaching head.

LENGTH

To 9 feet (2.7 m).

To 7.5 feet, rarely to 8.5 feet
(2.3-2.6 m).

From a distance, saddleback dolphins might also be
confused with spinner dolphins because of the habits of both
species of congregating in large schools with much jumping
and splashing. Both species ride the bow wave, and close
examination should permit positive identification using the
following characteristics:

Saddleback Dolphin

Spinner Dolphin

COLORATION

Dark gray on back; tan or
yellowish tan on sides; white
on belly; lacks crisscross
pattern on sides; distinct
black stripe from flipper to
eye.

Dark gray to brownish gray
on back; white on belly with
crisscross or hourglass pat-
tern of tan to yellowish tan
on side; distinct black stripe
from flipper to middle of
lower jaw.

Distribution

Saddleback dolphins are widely distributed in the
temperate, subtropical, and tropical waters of the western
North Atlantic Ocean. They have been reported off
Newfoundland, Iceland, Nova Scotia, and the coast of
Massachusetts, south along the coast of North America to the
Caribbean (West Indies and Jamaica), in the Gulf of Mexico,
and from South American waters at least to Margarita Island,
Venezuela.

The species' occurrence in the more northerly portions of
this range during the summer and early fall months appears
to coincide with the intrusion of warm waters into those
areas. They are not uncommon off Nova Scotia in summer
and fall and are casual members of the marine mam-
malian fauna of the remaining Maritime Provinces during
that period.

In previous years, saddleback dolphins were not
uncommonly encountered by collectors of Marineland of
Florida working the northeast coast of Florida, but the
species has been conspicuously absent since about 1960.
Reasons for this apparent shift of range are unknown.

Stranded Specimens

Saddleback dolphins have from 40 to 50 small, sharply
pointed teeth in each side of both the upper and lower jaws.
These numbers overlap with only those of the striped and
spinner dolphins (with 43-50 and 46-65, respectively).
Saddleback dolphins should be readily distinguishable from

116

both these species by the features outlined under the
descriptions of living animals and distinguishable from the

bridled dolphins by the distinctive markings on the head of
the two species (see Figs. 121 and 134).

Figure 130. — Saddleback dolphins captured off St. Augustine, Fla. , shown in the tank at Marineland of Florida. The highly distinctive crisscross
or hourglass pattern of tan or yellowish tan on the sides is clearly visible. Note also the light tip of the snout and the dark line from the center of
the lower jaw to the flipper. This last characteristic readily distinguishes the saddleback dolphin from the striped dolphin, in which the black
stripe begins at the corner of the mouth rather than near the center of the lower jaw. (Photos courtesy of Marineland of Florida.)

117

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Figure 131 . - Saddleback dolphins on the bow of a ship off Massachusetts in 1966. The color pattern, including the dark brownish-gray back, the
crisscross pattern on the sides, and the white belly, are clearly visible. The light tip of the snout helps distinguish this species from the spinner
dolphins, which have a black-tipped snout. {Photo by E. Wheeler.)

M^^

-- ^^■''

Figure 132. -The distinctive crisscross pattern of the sides of the saddleback dolphins is clearly visible even when comparatively httle of the animal is
seen. Note the falcate dorsal fin, which often, as here, is dark on the border, Ughter near the center. (Photo by R. K. BHgham, courtesy of National
Marine Fitheriet Service. )

Figure 134. -A saddleback dolphin stranded on Westerly Beach, R.I. The origin of
the common name "crisscross dolphin" is evident in the color pattern of the side. Note
also the distinctive black stripe from the center of the lower jaw to the origin of the
flipper. (Photo courtesy of H. E. Winn.)

118

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Figure 133. — Saddleback dolphins frequeotly jump clear of the water and may reenter in a variety of ways: 1 ) smoothly, head first; 2) with a chin slap; 3)
with an accompanying tail lob; or 41 on the sides or back with a splash. This habit enables them to be spotted from a considerable distance. When stressed,
herds bunch tightly together, like the group in the bottom photo. (Phototfrom off Virgmia by J. G. Mead [top] and off San Diego, Calif by S. Leather-
wood [bottom].)

119

FRASERS DOLPHIN (T)

Lagenodelphis hoseiFraser 1956

Other Common Names

Sarawak dolphin, Bornean dolphin, Fraser's porpoise.

Description

Fraser's dolphins reach an overall length of at least 8 feet
(2.4 m). They are extremely short-beaked and have a
pronounced dark stripe, similar to that found on the striped
dolphin, extending from the rostrum to the area of the anus.
They are robust in build and have rather small flippers and
dorsal fin relative to body size. The dorsal fin is slender,
falcate, and pointed on the tip. The body is gray on the back
and white on the belly. The color of the side is dominated by
the striping pattern. A cream-white band beginning high on
the rostrum extends above and past the eye, continues
towards the tail, and finally dissipates in the body color above
the anus. Just below and parallel to this cream- white band is a
black one extending from the area of the eye to the anus. A
second cream- white band below and parallel to this dark strip
separates the darker gray coloration of the side from the
white coloration of the belly. The flippers are dark above and
below.

Natural History Notes

The little that is known of the natural history and behavior
of the species may be summarized as follows: Fraser's
dolphins occur in groups of up to at least 500 animals and in
the Pacific are occasionally seen with spotted dolphins
{SteneUa attenvxita). From all accounts, they are not
uncommon in certain areas of the tropical Pacific and off
South Africa.

Fraser's dolphins appear to be deep divers. They are
aggressive swimmers and, when they surface to breathe,
often charge to the surface, creating a spray from their heads.
They have also been reported leaping clear of the water.

May Be Confused With

Fraser's dolphin is intermediate in form between
Lagenorhynchus and Delphinus delphis (thus the composite
name Lagenodelphis). Because the species is apparently
limited to tropical waters, however, and because of the
prominent stripe on the side of the body, Fraser's dolphins
are more likely to be confused with the striped dolphins
(p. 113). The two species can be distinguished at sea by
several characteristics:

Fraser's Dolphin

Striped Dolphin

COLORATION

Single broad black stripe
from beak and eye back to
area of anus.

Color dominated by series of
stripes from: 1) eye to anus;
2) eye to flipper, and 3) black

behind dorsal fin forward,
towards but not reaching the
head.

BEAK

Extremely short and indis-
tinct.

Longer, much more distinc-
tive.

BODY SHAPE

Slenderer.

Robust, particularly in front
of dorsal fin.

FLIPPERS

Small, dark in color, and Longer, sometimes lighter
originating in light color of on upper surface; note stripe
sides. from front of flippers to eye.

DORSAL FIN

Small, slender, slightly fal-
cate, and pointed on top.

Taller dorsal fin. broader at
base.

Distribution

Although Fraser's dolphins have yet to be described for
the western North Atlantic Ocean, they are included here as
"possibles" because of the recent discovery that their range is
far more extensive than previously known. Records to date
have been limited to offshore tropical waters.

The species was first described in 1956 from the remains
of a beach-washed specimen from Sarawak in the South China
Sea. Since that time specimens have been collected from the
eastern tropical Pacific, and others have stranded in such
widely divergent localities as Australia, South Africa, and
Japan. Recent summaries have added sighting records from
the Central Pacific, near the Phoenix Island, from north-
west of the Galapagos Islands, and from South African
waters.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded Eraser's dolphins should be readily identifiable
by 1 ) distinctive coloration of the body; 2) short, indistinctive
beak; and 3) robust form. The only other species of small
dolphins with beaks of similar length and general appearance
are the Atlantic white-sided and white-beaked dolphins (p.
123 and 126); these dolphins, both with far more northerly
ranges, have 30-40 and 22-28 teeth in each side of each jaw,
respectively, while Fraser's dolphins have from 40 to 44
teeth in the upper jaw and from 39 to 44 in the lower jaw.

120

m^'

Figurel35. — Fra$er'$ dolphins, like these photographed off the Phoenix Islands in the Pacific I top) and this one off the Philippines (bottom), are definitely
identifiable in their tropical range by the short snout, the dark flank stripe and the small dorsal fin and flippers. They may reach 8 feet (2.4 ml, or more, in
length and occur in herds of at least 500 animals, sometimes with spinner dolphins or Atlantic spotted dolphins. {Photos by K. C. Balcomb [top] and T.
Hammond [bottom].)

(following page)

Figure 136. — Fraser's dolphins from the eastern tropical Pacific: adult (top and inset)
and calf (bottom). Note the distinctive black lateral strip and the extremely small
fUppers and dorsal fin. (Photos by R. Garvie [top arul intet] and S. Leatherwood
[bottomY)

121

122

ATLANTIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHIN (T)

Lagenorhynchus acutus (Gray 1828)

Other Common Names

Atlantic white-sided porpoise, jumper (Newfoundland).

Description

Atlantic white-sided dolphins reach about 9 feet (2.7 m) in
maximum length and are robust in form with a small but
distinct beak (less than 2 inches [5.1 cm] long).

The dorsal fin is tall, distinctly back curved, and pointed
on the tip. The tail stock is extremely thick and does not
narrow laterally until very near the tail flukes.

The back is distinctly black, the belly white. The sides
have zones of g^ray, tan, and white.

The single most distinctive feature of Atlantic white-sided
dolphins is an elongated oval zone of white and yellowish
white along the sides from just below the dorsal fin to the area
above the anus. These patches of lighter coloration, clearly
demarcated from each other and from the surrounding
coloration, are frequently visible simultaneously with the
dorsal fin as the animals roll at the surface to breathe. Even
alone this feature permits positive identification of the
species. The dorsal fin is often part gray, part black. The beak
is all black.

Natural History Notes

Atlantic white-sided dolphins are known to congregate in
herds of perhaps a thousand animals, though smaller herds
are far more common. The species is often wary of ships and
does not ordinarily ride the bow wave. Like a number of other
species, white-sided dolphins have been reported in
association with Atlantic pilot whales.

May Be Confused With

At sea, Atlantic white-sided dolphins are most likely to be
confused with the white-beaked dolphins, with which they
overlap in distribution. Though they are very similar in
general appearance, the two can be distinguished in the
following ways:

Atlantic White-Sided
Dolphin

White-Beaked Dolphin

COLORATION

Elongated band of yellowish
white and white along side,
visible behind and below
dorsal fin as animal rolls.

Two grayish areas— one in
front, the other below and
behind dorsal fin, visible as
anirtial rolls.

BEAK

All black.

Sometimes white in parts of
range though western Atlan
tic animals are usually dark.

To 9 feet (2.7 m).

MAXIMUM SIZE

To 10 feet (3.1 m).

DORSAL FIN

Often part black, part lighter Uniformly dark,
gray.

Distribution

Atlantic white-sided dolphins are distributed, primarily
offshore, in the cool waters between the Gulf Stream and the
Labrador Current. They have been observed from Hudson
Canyon, off New York City, north to southern Greenland and
perhaps Davis Straits. Their normal range shares a southern
boundary with the white-beaked dolphin but does not extend
as far to the north.

Stranded Specimens

In addition to the features described above for living
animals at sea, stranded Atlantic white-sided dolphins can be
distinguished from white-beaked dolphins by the following:

Atlantic White-Sided
Dolphin

White- Beaked Dolphin

NUMBER OF TEETH

30-40 per side per jaw,
sometimes more in upper.

22-28 per side per jaw; have
larger individual teeth— to 6
mm in diameter.

FLIPPERS

Lower portion of forward
margin more curved.

Lower portion of forward
margin less acutely curved.

VENTRAL COLOR

White coloration of belly
extends high onto sides of
body.

White coloration of belly
extends to lower jaw but not
above flippers on sides.

CAUDAL CRESTS

Tail stock strongly compres-
sed laterally; taller, narrows
rapidly just in front of flukes.

Tail stock less laterally
compressed, tapers more
gently towards tail flukes.

123

Figure 138. - An Atlantic white-sided dolphin off the eastern Canadian coast. These
animals do not usually ride the bow wave, but when they can be examined at close
range, they can be readily distinguished from their more northerly cousins, the
white-beaked dolphins, by their highly distinctive color pattern. {Photo by P. B.
Beamish. )

►

^^Hi^^

/ijIPR *>^TR^» r'"' -Pi*»

Figure 137.- Atlantic white-sided dolphins at sea between Cape Cod, Mass. and Nova Scotia. This species can be positively identified b\ the
elongated zone of » hite and the adjacent region of tan or yellowish tan below and behind the dorsal fin, visible even in the fast -s» imming animalin
the bottom picture. The top photo illustrates the origin of the Newfoundland common name "jumper." (Photos by K. C. Balcomb [top] and H.
E. Winn [bottom].)

124

Figure 139. — The highly distinctive pattern oJ the Atlantic white-sided
dolphins is clearly visible in this animal stranded in Scotland. Even if the
color pattern has faded, however, this species should be easy to identify.
The 30-40 teeth in each of the upper and lower jaws permit distinction
from the white-beaked dolphins, which have only about 22-28 per side in
each jaw. {Photos by B. ThtUock, courtesy of A. S. Clarke.)

125

WHITE-BEAKED DOLPHIN (T)

Lagenorhynchus albirostris Gray 1846

Other Common Names

White-beaked porpoise, squidhound (Newfoundland).

Description

White- beaked dolphins reach a maximum overall length of
about 10 feet (3.1 m). The body is robust in form with a tall,
uniformly dark- gray dorsal fin, and a short but distinct beak
which, as the common name implies, is often light gray to
white above and below, at least in European waters. The
beak of animals in the western Atlantic populations is less
frequently white. The back and sides are basically dark gray
to black, and the belly is white to light gray.

Swimming white-beaked dolphins can be most readily
identified by the two areas of pale coloration on the sides, one
in front of and another below and behind the dorsal fin. These
areas are clearly visible from a ship or aircraft as the animals
roll at the surface.

Natural History Notes

White- beaked dolphins may sometimes occur in herds of
up to 1,500 individuals. Like their cousins, the Atlantic
white-sided dolphins, they do not commonly ride the bow
waves of vessels.

White- beaked dolphins feed on squid, octopus, cod,
herring, capelin, and sometimes on benthic crustaceans.

May Be Confused With

In their northerly range white-beaked dolphins are likely
to be confused with only the Atlantic white-sided dolphins.
The most distinctive features of white-beaked dolphins are 1)
the two areas of paleness described above, 2) the prominent,
dark-gray dorsal fin, and sometimes 3) the white beak. Other

features by which the two species may be distinguished in the
brief encounters typical at sea are tabularized on p. 127.

Distribution

White-beaked dolphins are the more northerly of the two
species of Lagenorhynchus in the western North Atlantic.
They are found from Cape Cod, Mass., north to western and
southern Greenland and Davis Straits, though they are
apparently far more numerous to the north of this range.
They appear in Davis Straits in spring and summ.er and leave
that area in autumn, sometimes as late as November, to move
southward. They winter as far south as Cape Cod, where they
are the common dolphin species in April, May, and June
(sometimes to July). Their migrations are poorly known.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded white-beaked dolphins can be most readily
distinguished from white-sided dolphins by the substantial

"^WiW,

Figure 1 10. — Two viewH of white-beaked dolphins off Newfoundland. This species is characterized by a prominent uniform dark gray dorsal fin and two
areas of paleness on the sides, one in front of and one below and behind the dorsal fin. White-beaked dolphins are distributed from Newfoundland north,
extending to more northerly waters than Atlantic white-sided dolphins. (Photos by H. E. Wirm [bottom] and W. A. Watkim [top].)

126

differences in coloration and the differences in numbers of
teeth.

Atlantic White-Sided
White- Beaked Dolphin Dolphin

TEETH

22-28 per side per jaw.

30-40 per side per jaw,
sometimes more in upper
jaw.

COLORATION

Beak sometimes gray or
white above and below; two
pale areas visible on living
animals not visible on strand-
ed specimens.

Beak all black: side marked
with elongated areas of
white with streaking pat-
terns of yellow and tan.

Additional characteristics by which the two species may
be distinguished are summarized on p. 123.

Figure 141.— White-beaked dolphins reach nearly 10 feet (3.1 m) in length. Stranded animals, such as this specimen from Scotland, should be
distinguishable from Atlantic white-sided dolphins by their differences in coloration. This species sometimes has a white beak and always lacks the
elongated white patch and tan or yellow streaking found on the side of Atlantic white-sided dolphins. (Photos by A. S. Clarke.)

127

ATLANTIC BOTTLENOSED DOLPHIN (T)

Tursiops truncates (Montague 1821)

Other Common Names

Bottlenosed porpoise, gray porpoise, common porpoise.'^

Description

Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins reach a maximum overall
length of about 12 feet (3.7 m) and weigh in excess of 1,430
pounds (650 kg). They have relatively stubby snouts and
dorsal fins, which are broad at the base, tall, and falcate.
Coloration varies slightly, but individuals are usually dark
gray on the back, lighter gray on the side, grading to white or
pink on the belly. Old females may have spots on the belly.
The dark coloration of the back often appears as a highly
distinct cape, particularly on the head.

Natural History Notes

Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins often occur in groups of up
to several hundred individuals which usually consist of
aggregations of small groups of no more than a dozen animals
each. They frequently associate with the Atlantic pilot
whales and are frequently found accompanying the right and
hump back whales travelling along the Atlantic coast of
Florida.

Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins have catholic tastes,
feeding on shrimp, eels, catfish, menhadden mullet, and
miscellaneous trash fish, to mention only a few. They are
frequently found near shrimp boats, feeding on fish stirred up
by the trawls or on discarded trash fish.

They sometimes move in to ride the bow wave of a vessel,
turning on their sides, sometimes spinning completely
around on their longitudinal axis when doing so. Individuals
may also turn their heads downward or to the side. They are
often found close to shore, in bays and lagoons, and
sometimes venture up the larger rivers. Some individuals,
especially the larger animals, are found as far offshore as the
edge of the continental shelf. Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins
sometimes ride the surf. Individuals may jump clear of the
water as high as 15-20 feet (4.6-6.1 m), a behavior on which
aquarium shows have capitalized.

Members of this species are the dolphins most commonly
maintained in captivity at zoos, aquariums, marine parks,
and research institutions. For that reason, they are perhaps
more familiar to the general public than any other species of
porpoise, dolphin, or whale.

May Be Confused With

From at least Cape Hatteras southward, the range of the
Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins distributed in inshore areas
may overlap with that of Atlantic spotted dolphins,
particularly during the spring and summer, when the
Atlantic spotted dolphins move inshore. There the two

species may be confused. The Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins
and the Atlantic spotted dolphins can be distinguished,
however, by the following characteristics:

Atlantic Atlantic

Bottlenosed Dolphin Spotted Dolphin

MAXIMUM SIZE

8 feet to as much as 12 feet

(2.4 to 3.7 m).

7.5-8 feet (2.3-2.4 m)

COLORATION

Not spotted (old females may
have spots on belly); dark
gray on back; light gray on
sides; white or pink on belly.

Dark purplish gray on back;
lighter gray on sides and
belly; body becomes increas-
ingly spotted with age.

HEAD AND BEAK

Head robust; beak relatively Head more slender; beak
short. longer.

Some Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins are distributed well
offshore as far as the edge of the continental shelf. Those
individuals may be confused with either rough-toothed
dolphins (p. 135) or with grampus (p. 96). They may be
distinguished from rough-toothed dolphins by the following:

Atlantic Bottlenosed
Dolphin

Rough- Toothed Dolphin

BODY COLOR

Dark gray on back; light
gray on side; white or pink on
belly.

Dark gray, almost purplish
with yellow spots; lighter on
belly.

SNOUT

Relatively short and stubby,
and clearly demarcated from
forehead; usually all gray;
some older individuals have
white-tipped snouts and/or
white lips.

Long and slender; not clearly
demarcated from forehead;
lower jaw and lips speckled
white.

See also p. 150 for use of this common name for another species, the
harbor porpoise.

Distinguishing differences between the Atlantic bottle-
nosed dolphins in offshore areas and grampus are tabularized
on p. 96.

In northeastern South America the range of the Atlantic
bottlenosed dolphin apparently overlaps with that of the
Guiana dolphin, which, except for size, it closely resembles
(see p. 132).

Distribution

The Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins are widely distributed
in the temperate and tropical waters of the western North

128

Figure 142. — Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins leaping on the bow of a research vessel between Cape Cod, Mass. and Nova Scotia. Note the
robust body, the falcate dorsal fin, and the gradation of color in three zones — dark gray on the back, to lighter gray on the sides, to white or
pink on the belly. {Photo by A. Taruski)

►

Figure 143. — A side view of the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins off St. Augustine, Fla. Note the dark grayish coloration of the back, the lighter
coloration of the side, and the tall, sharply angled dorsal fin, pointed on the tip. Though dorsal fin shapes are highly variable, dorsal fins of
the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin are usually more falcate and less pointed on the tip than on these animals. {Photo courtesy of Marinelarui
of Florida.)

129

S a

e V
«5

■c

130

Atlantic. They are known from at least Nova Scotia but are
best known from New England southward to Florida,
westward in the Gulf of Mexico, and thence throughout the
West Indies and Caribbean to Venezuela.

In the northern portion of that range, Atlantic
bottlenosed dolphins are distributed offshore. In the
southern portions of their range from at least North Carolina
southward, the majority are found nearshore and often enter
bays and lagoons, and sometimes venture up the larger
rivers. Daily migrations in these areas may follow tidal flow.

In these same southerly areas some Atlantic bottlenosed
dolphins are distributed as far offshore as the edge of the
continental shelf.

Stranded Specimens

Within their range, stranded Atlantic bottlenosed
dolphins should be readily identifiable by 1) the robust body,
2) relatively short beak, and 3) the 20-26 teeth in each upper
jaw and 18-24 in each lower jaw.

Figure 145. -An Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin taken at Isia La Blanquilla, off Venezuela. Because they inhabit shallow waters, Atlantic bottlenosed

dolphins are infrequent victims of strandings. {Photo courtesy ofF. Cervigon.1

Figure 146. — Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins have from
20 to 26 teeth in each side of the upper jaw and from 18
to 24 in each side of the lower jaw. These teeth, sharply-
pointed in younger animals, may wear substantially as
the animal ages. {Photo courtesy of Wometco Miami
Seaquarium. )

131

GUIANA DOLPHIN (T)

Sotaliaguianensis (P. -J. van Beneden 1864)

Other Common Names

None known.

Description

Guiana dolphins are the second smallest cetacean species
in the western North Atlantic, reaching a maximum length of
only about 5.6 feet (1.7 m).

Their body shape is very similar to that of the Atlantic
bottlenosed dolphin, though the beak is less clearly
demarcated from the forehead.

The rather prominent dorsal fin is nearly triangular,
curving only slightly backwards near the tip.

Guiana dolphins are steel blue to dark brown on the back
and white on the belly. There is sometimes a brownish band
extending from the dark color of the back in front of the dorsal
fin back towards but not reaching the anus.

Natural History Notes

Guiana dolphins are usually found in groups of fewer than
10 individuals.

May Be Confused With

Because of their limited range and specialized habitats,
Guiana dolphins are unlikely to be confused with any other
cetacean species except perhaps Atlantic bottlenosed
dolphins (p. 128). These two species can be distinguished by
the following characteristics:

Guiana Dolphins

Atlantic Bottlenosed
Dolphins

SIZE

To only 5.6 feet (1.7 m). 8to as much as 12 feet (2.4 to

3.7 m).

DORSAL FIN

More nearly triangular; cur- Broad- based,
ved only slightly backwards cate.
near tip.

DISTRIBUTION

tall, and fal-

Found in rivers and estuar-
ies, extend into only very
shallow nearshore waters on
limited area of South Ameri-
can coast.

Distribution

Sometimes found nearshore
and in bays, river mouths,
and estuaries, but extend
farther offshore.

Guiana dolphins are found in Lake Maracaibo, in the
rivers of Guyana, and in the nearshore coastal waters of the
northeastern portion of the Guianas.

Stranded Specimens

In their very limited range, stranded Guiana dolphins can
be readily identifed by their extremely small size (to 5.6 feet
11.7 m]) and nearly triangular dorsal fin. Furthermore, in
addition to the characteristics listed above distinguishing
living Guiana dolphins from Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins,
the species can be distinguished by differences in the
numbers of teeth:

Atlantic Bottlenosed
Dolphins

Guiana Dolphins

TEETH

20-26 in each upper jaw;
18-26 in each lower jaw.

26-35 in each jaw; often
ragged in arrangement.

Figure 147. — A Guiana dolphin from Kartabo, British Guiana. In the coastal portion
of its range along the northeastern South American coast, this species is most likely
to be confused with the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin. Guiana dolphins are much
smaller, rarely exceeding 5.6 feet (1.7 m), have a more triangular dorsal fin, and
tend to be found more frequently in estuaries and rivers. [Photo by A. B. Van
Beneden from Zoologica VII H).by permitnon of the New York Zoological Society. )

132

133

Figure 148. — Guiana dolphins harpooned in Kartabo. British Guiana. Guiana dolphins have from 26 to 35 teeth in each jaw. Atlantic
bottlenosed dolphins, which are larger but somewhat similar in appearance, have from 20 to 26 teeth in each upper jaw and from 18 to 26
in each lower jaw. (Photo by A. B. Van Beneden from Zoologies VlHi). by permisrion of the New York Zoological Society.)

134

ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHIN (T)

Steno bredanensis (G. Cuvier in Lesson 1828)

Other Common Names

Rough-toothed porpoise, goggle-eyed porpoise.
Description

Rough toothed dolphins reach a length of at least 8 feet
(2.4 m). The coloration of the rough-toothed dolphins is quite
variable. Individuals are often dark gray to dark purplish
gray on the back with pinkish-white blotches on the sides
and belly. The flippers and flukes are dark and the belly is
white. Individuals are frequently scarred with numerous
white streaks.

The most distinctive characteristic of the rough-toothed
dolphin is its beak, which is quite long and slender, may be
white or pinkish white along both sides, including one or both
lips and the tip of the snout, and is not separated from the
forehead by the transverse groove present in other long-
snouted dolphins. Because the forehead and the sides of the
head slope smoothly into the rostrum, when this animal is
seen from above or from the side, its entire head appears very
long and nearly conical.

Natural History Notes

Rough-toothed dolphins occur in small groups of 50
animals or fewer and are usually found off the edge of the
continental slope. They may ride the bow waves.

May Be Confused With

In their offshore habitat, rough-toothed dolphins are most
likely to be confused with Atlantic spotted dolphins (p. 104)
and with Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins (p. 128). They may
be distinguished from Atlantic spotted dolphins by the
following:

Rough-Toothed Dolphin

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

SNOUTS

Long and slender; not clearly
demarcated from forehead.

Moderate in length and
clearly demarcated from
forehead.

Figure 149. — Captive rough-toothed dolphins in Japan. Note the distinctive, smoothly tapering head and the white
coloration of the sides and front of the snout. Rough-toothed dolphins are probably widely distributed in the offshore
waters of the tropics. The streamers on the backs of the animals are marker tags (see Appendix A.) (Photo courtesy of
Japanese Whales Research Iiutitute. )

135

They may be distinguished from Atlantic bottlenosed
dolphins by the characteristics tabularized on p. 128.

Even at a distance the blotched coloration of the side and
the white coloration of the rostrum of rough-toothed dolphins
may be visible. If closer examination is possible, the
distinctive shape and coloration of the beak make positive
identification easy.

Distribution

Though records of rough-toothed dolphins from the
western North Atlantic are scant, the species is assumed to
be widely distributed in deep tropical to warm temperate

waters. It has been reported from Virginia, Georgia, Florida,
the Gulf of Mexico, the West Indies, and off the northeastern
coast of South America.

Stranded Specimens

In addition to the characteristics listed above for
distinguishing living animals, stranded rough-toothed
dolphins can be readily identified by the fact that the 20-27
fairly large teeth per jaw per side have a series of fine vertical
wrinkles on the crown, a characteristic from which the
species derives its common name. (These wrinkles are often
difficult to detect.)

Figure 150.— Closeups of the highly distinctive head of a
rough-toothed dolphin showing the white lips and the lack
of a clear demarcation between the snout and the forehead.
This species has from 20 to 27 fairly large teeth in each side
of both the upper and lower jaws. (Photos at Sea Life
Park, Hawaii, byK. C. Baicomb [top] and S. Leatherwood
[bottom].)

136

-f* I

Figure 151. — A rough-toothed dolphin stranded near New Smyrna Beach, Fla. 1 his species has from <20 to 27 fairly large teeth in each side of both the upper
and lower jaws. Those teeth are sometimes marked by many fine vertical wrinkles along the crown, a characteristic from which the species derives its
common name. {Photos by D. K. CaldweU.)

137

PYGMY KILLER WHALE (T)

Feresa attenuata Gray 1874

Other Common Names

Slender blackfish, slender pilot whale.

Description

Pygmy killer whales reach a length of about 8-9 feet
(2.4-2.7 m). They are usually relatively slender-bodied with a
rounded head, an underslung jaw, and no beak.

The falcate dorsal fin, located about the center of the back,
is usually between 8 and 12 inches (20.3 and 30.1 cm) tall
(though it may reach 15 inches [38 cm] in some individuals), is
sometimes very distinctive, and resembles that of the
Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin. The flippers are slightly
rounded on the tips.

The color has been described as dark gray or black on the
back, often lighter on the sides, extending higher in front of
the dorsal; fin and with a small zone of white on the
underside, often a lighter gray area on the sides, and
distinctive white regions around the lips. The chin may be
completely white. This white zone on the chin, described as
a "goatee," is often clearly visible in swimming animals.

May Be Confused With

The pygmy killer whale resembles the false killer whale
but is much smaller and can be distinguished at close range by
the zones of white coloration. False killer whales are almost
all black and reach a length of up to at least 18 feet (5.5 m).
Pygmy killer whales are dark gray on the back, often lighter
on the sides, and show a region of white on the belly which
may extend so high up onto the sides that it is visible on a
swimming animal. Further, they reach only 8-9 feet (2.4-
2.7 m).

Pygmy killer whales may also be confused with the
similarly sized and colored many-toothed blackfish. So little is
known of the two species' appearance and behavior at sea that
it is doubtful that they can be successfully distinguished,
though many-toothed blackfish apparently lack the white
region often seen on the sides of pygmy killer whales.
Further, pygmy killer whales have rounded flippers and
smoothly tapered heads, while those of the many-toothed

blackfish are pointed on the tip and more sharpely pointed
(often described as a parrot beak).

Distribution

Pygmy killer whales are probably distributed in the
tropical and subtropical waters of the western North
Atlantic. They have been reported from Texas, the Atlantic
coast of Florida, and St. Vincent Island, Lesser Antilles.
Records of the species from the other oceans of the world
suggest that its distribution is limited to tropical and
subtropical waters.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded pygmy killer whales can be clearly distinguish-
ed from both the false killer whale and the many toothed
blackfish. In addition to the differences discussed above, the
following are key differences between the pygmy and false
killer whales:

Pygmy Killer Whale

False KiUer Whale

TEETH

10-13 in each side of upper
and lower jaws; lower teeth
smaller.

8-11 per jaw
prominent.

per

side.

VENTRAL COLORATION

White from anus to under tail
stock, white may extend up
sides.

Dark from anus to tail stock;
lighter pale gray area for-
ward between flippers.

FLIPPERS

Smoothly rounded.

Characteristic hump on for-
ward margin.

Pygmy killer whales can be distinguished from many-
toothed blackfish on the basis of the second species" larger
number of teeth. (Many-toothed blackfish have from 22 to 25
teeth in the upper jaw and from 21 to 24 in the lower jaw.)

Figure 152. — Pygmy killer whales at sea northwest of Hawaii (top) off the island of
Oahu, Hawaii (middle), and from southeastern Florida in the tank at the W'ometco
Miami Seaquarium (bottom). When swimming rapidly, pygmy killer whales may
closely resemble the much larger false killer whales. In addition to their much smaller
size, rarely exceeding 9 feet (2.7 m), however, pygmy killer whales can be
distinguished by their more rounded head, the white coloration of the lips and chin, and
the white zone on the belly, sometimes extending up the sides. [Photos by S. Ohsumi
[top]; J. Naughton, Natvoruil Marine Fisheries Service and courtesy of E. Shallenberger,
Sea Life Park \middle]: and courtesy of Wometco Miami Seaquarium [bottom].)

138

^^^[^^mK«»

^^^^"

139

' \\j\0r

SMft

Figure 153. — Pygmy killer whales 5 miles off Kaena Point, Oahu. Hawaii. These individuals were dark on the back with varying degrees of Ughter
coloration on the sides, extending high onto the sides in front of the dorsal fin. Many had a white "goatee" on the chin and lower jaw. The prominent dorsal
fin is characteristic. {Photos by E. ShaUenberger, courtesy of Sea Life Park, Hawaii)

140

Figure 154. — Side and belly viewsof a pygmy killer whale from South Africa. Note the slight white coloration of the lips, the white region on the
ventral surface (extending up onto the sides just below the dorsal fin), and the falcate sharply pointed dorsal fin. Note also the flippers, which
lack the hump on the forward margin characteristic of false killer whales. {Photos courtesy of P. B. Best.)

Figure 155. — Pygmy killer whales have from 8 to 1 1 teeth in each side of
the upper jaw and from 11 to 13 in each side of the lower jaw. Many
specimens reportedly have one fewer on the right than on the left side.
The teeth are smaller than those of the false killer whale and far less
numerous than those of the more closely sized many-toothed blackfish.
Note also the white lips. {Photo courtesy of P. B. Best.)

141

MANY-TOOTHED BLACKFISH (T)

Peponocephala electra (Gray 1846)

Other Common Names

Hawaiian blackfish, melon-headed whale.

Description

Many-toothed blackfish reach lengths of at least 9 feet (2.7
m) and are similar in body shape to the larger false killer
whale and the similar-sized pygmy killer whale. The body is
elongated and slim with a rather slim tail stock. In general,
the head is shaped like that of the false killer whale but has a
sharper appearance to the snout, sometimes described as
a parrot- beak. The forehead is rounded, slightly overhanging
the lower jaw, and has no beak. The dorsal fin is up to 10
inches (25.4 cm). It is probably very distinctive as the animals
surface to breathe. Many-toothed blackfish are black on the
back and slightly lighter on the belly. The areas around the
anus and genitals and the lips are unpigmented. Many-
toothed blackfish are presumably rare.

May Be Confused With

Many-toothed blackfish may be confused with either the
false killer whale or the pygmy killer whale. They are
considerably smaller than the false killer whale, have a
slightly more pointed snout, and lack the prominent humplike

forward margin on the flippers which is characteristic of the
false killer whale.

They are approximately the same size as pygmy killer
whales, but the white area around the genitals which extends
up onto the side in pygmy killer whales may be lacking in
many-toothed blackfish. This species has pointed flippers,
while those of pygmy killer whales are rounded on the tips.
Many-toothed blackfish also have a slightly more pointed
snout. Otherwise, the two species are virtually indistinguish-
able in encounters at sea.

Distribution

Although many-toothed blackfish have not yet been
reported in the western North Atlantic, they are included
in this guide because of a record from the eastern tropical
North Atlantic and the known tropical distribution in
other areas.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded many-toothed blackfish can be distinguished
from false killer and pygmy killer whales by the number of
teeth alone. Many-toothed blackfish have more than 1.5 per
side per jaw (usually 21-25); both other species have
less than 15.

Figure 156. — A live many-toothed blackfish in a holding pen
in the Philippines. At sea these animals will be virtually
impossible to distinguish from pygmy killer whales. [Photos
by T. Hammond.)

142

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143

PYGMY SPERM WHALE (T)

Kogia breviceps (Blainville 1838)

Other Common Names

None known.

Description

Pygmy sperm whales reach a length of at least 11 feet (3.4
m). They are characterized by 1) an extremely robust body
that rapidly tapers near the tail, 2) a squarish head, and 3) a
narrow, underslung lower jaw which is located well behind
the tip of the snout. Along the side of the head, in
approximately the same position where gill slits would be
located on a fish of comparable size, there is a crescent-
shaped bracket mark, often called a false gill.

The flippers, which are smoothly curved on the forward
margin and may reach a length of 18 inches (45.7 cm) or more
on an adult specimen, are located well forward on the body,
just below and behind the bracket mark.

The dorsal fin is very small, falcate, and located in the
latter half of the back.

Though coloration can be described only from stranded
specimens and a few encounters with living animals, pygmy
sperm whales appear to be dark steel gray on the back,
shading to a lighter gray on the sides, and gradually fading to
a dull white on the belly. The outer surface of the flippers and
the upper surface of the tail flukes are also steel gray.

Natural History Notes

From the few accounts, the following may be summarized
about the behavior of pygmy sperm whales at sea: They
reportedly usually rise slowly to the surface to breathe,
produce a blow that is inconspicuous, and do not normally roll
aggressively at the surface like most other species of small
whales. They reportedly fold their flippers flat against their
bodies when swimming. They have been reported to lie
motionless in the water with the back of the head on the
surface and the tail hanging loosely down in the water. (A
similar behavior in sperm whales has made them a minor
hazard to shipping, since it has resulted in some collisions
with ships. ) When they are startled in this posture, they may
defecate, issuing a cloud of reddish brown to rust-colored
fece. Beached pygmy sperm whales have also been observed
to defecate a fine chocolate feces.

Pygmy sperm whales apparently feed primarily on squid,
but do take fish as well.

the name implies, have elongated "dolphinlike" beaks and are
considerably larger. At sea, pygmy sperm whales are most
likely to be confused with their cousins the dwarf sperm
whales (p. 148 and Fig. 160). The two species can be dis-
tinguished as follows:

Pygmy Sperm Whale

Dwarf Sperm Whale

To 11 feet (3.4 m)

MAXIMUM SIZE

To 9 feet (2.7 m)

DORSAL FIN

Small to 8 inches (20.3 cm),
falcate; located in latter third
of back.

Taller, more like that of
bottlenosed dolphins; locat-
ed near the midpoint of the
back.

COLORATION

Both species are dark steel g^ay on the back, grading to
lighter on the belly.

Distribution

Because they have been rarely observed at sea, normal
ranges for this species are not known. Based on stranding
records, however, the following can be stated. In the western
North Atlantic, pygmy sperm whales have been found as far
north as Sable Island, Halifax, Nova Scotia, as far south as
Cuba, and as far west as Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. They are
frequently found stranded along the Atlantic coast of Florida
and throughout the eastern and northern Gulf of Mexico.

Stranded Specimens

Because of the distinctive characters of the genus,
stranded pygmy and dwarf sperm whales are unlikely to be
confused with any other species of cetacean, though the
rather narrow underslung jaw and the blunted head may
result in their casual dismissal by some beach walkers as
stranded sharks. The two species of Kogia may be
distinguished by the following:

Pygmy Sperm Whale

Dwarf Sperm Whale

May Be Confused With

In general, when they can be examined at close range,
pygmy sperm whales are so distinctive that they are unlikely
to be confused with any other species except perhaps the
dwarf sperm whales. At a distance, they might be confused
with small individuals of any of the beaked-whale species
(p. 78) that also have a relatively small, falcate dorsal fin
located in the latter third of the back. Closer examination
should permit easy separation, however, since the pygmy
sperm whale has a blunted head, while the beaked whales, as

TEETH

12-16 (rarely 10-11) in lower
jaw are larger; no teeth in
upper.

8-11 (rarely 13) small and
extremely sharp teeth in
lower jaw; sometimes have
up to 3 teeth in each upper
jaw.

THROAT

No creases or grooves on
throat.

Several short irregular creas-
es or grooves on throat.

144

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Figure 158. — In this rare photograph of a pygmy sperm whale at sea in the Pacific, the animal
was startled by the approaching vessel, circled quickly, and then dived out of sight. The trail
of material visible in the water in front of and to the right of the animal is feces, reddish brown
to rust in color. Startled whales and porpoises often defecate in this manner. (Photo by S.
Ohtumi )

Figure 159. — A young pygmy sperm whale swimming in a tank at the New York Aquarium. Note the shape and position of the dorsal fin and the shape of the

head. (Photo by H. E. Winn.)

145

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Figure 160. -On the beach the two species of Xoffia can be readily distinguished. The pygmy sperm whale. K. breviceps, (top) reaches a length of about
11 feet (3.4 m); its dorsal fin is a small nubbin located in the latter half of the back. The dwarf sperm whale, K. txmua, (bottom) reaches only about 9 feet
(2.7 m); its dorsal fin, much taller and more "dolphinlike" in appearance, is located near the middle of the back. Coloration of fresh specimens is probably
similar for both species— the lightened areas in the lower photograph are the result of decomposition. {Photos from Jekyll Island, Go. [top] arui Atlantic
Beach, Fla. [bottom] by D. K. CaldwelL).

Figure 161. — Ventral view of a female pygmy sperm whale from Jekyll Island. Ga. Note the position and shape of the flippers and mouth, and the abrupt

Upering of the body at the tail stock. {Photo by D. K. CaldwelL)

146

Figure 162. — Head of a pygmy sperm whale from northeastern Florida showing gill-like, lightly
pigmented "bracket marks." {Photo by F. G. Wood. )

Figure 163. — A detafled view of the mouth of a pygmy sperm whale from
the east coast of Florida. In both species of Kogia these long, curved,
needle-sharp teeth, found in only the lower jaw, lock into sockets in the
upper jaw. Pygmy sperm whales have from 12 to 16 (rarely 10 or 11) pairs
of teeth; dwarf sperm whales have from 8 to 11 (rarely 13) pairs. (Photo
byD. K. CaldwelL)

147

DWARF SPERM WHALE (T)

Kogiasimus (Owen 1866)

Other Common Names

Rat porpoise (West Indies).

Description

Dwarf sperm whales reach an overall length of
approximately 9 feet (2.7 m). Like the other species oiKogia.
the pygmy sperm whale (p. 144), the dwarf sperm whales are
characterized by 1) a squarish head, 2) an extremely robust
body which tapers rapidly near the tail stock, 3) a narrow,
underslung lower jaw, and 4) a bracket mark or false gill on
the side of the head.

The dorsal fin of this species is tall and falcate, closely
resembling that of the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin, and is
located near the midpoint of the back. There are several
short, irregular creases or grooves on the throat similar to
those found on the sperm whale (see Figs. 60, 165).

Dwarf sperm whales are dark steel gray on the back,
grading to lighter gray on the sides, and fading to dull white
on the belly.

May Be Confused With

Because of their tall, falcate dorsal fin, dwarf sperm
whales may be confused at a distance with any of the small

dolphin species. Their all-black or dark steel-gray coloration
and the blunted head increase the likelihood that they can be
confused with pygmy killer whales or many-toothed
blackf ish . They will have to be examined at close range before
they can be distinguished.

Dwarf sperm whales may also be confused with pygmy
sperm whales (p. 144 and Fig. 160). The two species can
be differentiated by the characteristics tabularized on p. 144.

Distribution

Since it has only recently been recognized as a species
distinct from the pygmy sperm whale and even more recently
given a common name, records of dwarf sperm whales may
have been confused with those of its close relatives. The
dwarf sperm whale has been reported from at least Georgia
south to St. Vincent, Lesser Antilles, and throughout the
eastern and northern Gulf of Mexico. It is highly likely that
this species, like the pygmy sperm whale, extends further to
the north.

Stranded Specimens

Because of the distinctive characteristics of the genus,
neither species of stranded Kogia is likely to be confused with
any other species. They can be distinguished from one
another by the characteristics tabularized on p. 144.

Figure 164.-A dwari sperm whale stranded near St. Augustine, Fla., shown swimming in the Unk at Marineland of Florida. In this species
the dorsal fin is taller than that of the pygmy sperm whale and is located near the midpoint of the back (see Figs. 159 and 160).
(Pkoto courtesy of Marineland of Florida. )

148

Figure 165. — Dwarf sperm whales have several
short creases on the throat, similar to those
found on the sperm whale (see Fig. 60); pygmy
sperm whales lack these creases. To compare
other features of the two species, refer back to
Figure 160. (Photo by D. K. Caldwell)

Figure 166. — Closeup of the tail flukes of a
dwarf sperm whale from the Florida east coast.
Note that the dorsal ridge extends ahnost to
the notch in the flukes. (Photo by W. A. Buck,
courtesy of MarmeUmd of Florida. )

149

HARBOR PORPOISE (T)

Phocoenaphocoetm (Linnaeus 1758)

Other Common Names

Common porpoise, herring hog, puffing pig (Newfound-
land and New England), Pourcils (Quebec), harbour porpoise.

Description

The harbor porpoise is the smallest cetacean species in the
western North Atlantic Ocean, reaching a maximum overall

length of about 5 feet (1.5 m). Its most distinctive identifying
features in encounters at sea are 1 ) the small, chunky body; 2)
the coloration, dark brown or gray on the back, fading to
lighter grayish brown on the sides, often with speckling in the
transition zone, and white on the belly extending farther up
on the sides in front of the dorsal fin; 3) the small round-
ed head, lacking a distinctive beak; 4) the small, tri-
angular dorsal fin; and 5) the shallow, inshore northerly
distribution.

Figurel67. — Two views of a harbor porpoise just offshore from Rio del Mar, Seaside, Calif. Note the small size (usually less than 5 feet [1.5 m] ), the small
triangular dorsal fin, the dark brownish color of the back, and the lighter color of the sides and belly intruding higher up in front of the dorsal fin. Harbor
porpoises frequent inshore areas, shallow bays, estuaries and harbors, and reportedly do not approach moving vessels nor ride bow waves. {Photos by J.
D.HaU.)

150

Natural History Notes

As the name implies, the harbor porpoise inhabits bays,
harbors, river mouths, and all the relatively shallow inshore
water between. Though it may travel in schools of nearly a
hundred individuals, it is more often seen in pairs or in small
groups of from 5 to 10 individuals. It often swims quietly at
the surface. It will not ride the bow wave and is very difficult
to approach closely by boat.

May Be Confused With

The harbor porpoise is not known to associate with
dolphins but is sometimes seen in close proximity to fin
whalesandhumpback whales off the Canadian coast in spring
and summer. Because of its northern inshore habitat, the

harbor porpoise is not likely to be confused with any other
cetacean.

Distribution

Harbor porpoises are restricted to the colder waters of the
western North Atlantic Ocean. They have been reported
from North Carolina north to the Davis Straits and the waters
of southwestern Greenland. Within this range they are
probably most common in the Bay of Fundy and off southwest
Greenland.

Stranded Specimens

In addition to the characteristics described above for
living animals, stranded harbor porpoises can be readily
identified by the small spade-shaped teeth, 22-28 per jaw.

Figure 168. — A harbor porpoise harpooned in Passamaquoddy Bay, New Bnu8wick. Harbor porpoises have from 23 to 28 small, spade-shaped teeth
ineachupperjawandfrom22 to26ineachlower jaw. Note the rounded head, the absence of a beak, and the triangular dorsal fin. iPhoto by D. E.
Gatkm.)

151

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Obviously this guide could not have been produced
without the cooperation of many people. Of over 450
individuals and scientific organizations contacted in 14
countries, 255 responded to our letters and well over 100
provided photographs for review and selection. We were par-
ticularly pleased that for the majority of the species found in
the western North Atlantic our most difficult problem was
narrowing the choices and ultimately selecting illustrations
from the many good materials made available to us. Although
there are far too many contributors to mention all by name,
their prompt and enthusiastic responses to requests for help
are gratefully acknowledged, whether or not their materials
were used.

Although photo credits follow each figure, we would
particularly like to cite the generosity of Marineland of
Florida, Hideo Omura of the Japanese Whales Research
Institute, J.G. Mead of the U.S. National Museum, K.C.
Balcomb of Moclips Cetological Society, Seiji Ohsumi of the
Far Seas Fisheries Research I^aboratory, Jack Lentfer of the
Alaskan Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Naval
Undersea Center (NUC), The University of Rhode Island,
and William F. Perrin of the National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS). Photographs by Taruski, McCann, Hain,
Wheeler, and Rigley are in Winn's files. All others are in the
files of Leatherwood and Caldwell. The illustrations for
Figures Bl and Dl were prepared by George Galich of NUC.
All other illustrations were prepared by Lois Winn.

The extensive and often tedious job of preparing black and
white photographs of suitable format from the vast array of
black and white and color negatives and prints and from color
transparencies was accomplished at the NUC Photographic
Laboratory by the able team of Domingo Sanchez, Ray
Krenik, Jeanne Lucas, and Alan McPhee.

George E. Lingle and John C. Moore assisted with
gathering and reviewing the literature and with cataloging
and screening photo materials.

The various drafts of the manuscript were typed by Linda
Thomson, Margaret Alvarez, and Sandra Nolan. Sandra
Peterson assisted with proofreading the later drafts.

In preparing this guide we drew freely from the literature
on cetaceans of this region and supplemented it with our own
observations and with unpublished notes provided by our
colleagues. A partial list of materials used, each a good
source of reference material on cetaceans in general or on
cetaceans of the western North Atlantic in particular, is
provided in the following section, "Selected Biblio-
graphy."

All of the following colleagues read all or part of the
manuscript and made useful suggestions for its improve-
ment: K.C. Balcomb, W.C. Cummings, J.G. Mead, Hideo
Omura, W.F. Perrin, F.K. Rodgers. Allen N. Saltzman, D.E.
Sergeant, W.A. Watkins, A. A. Wolman, and F.G.Wood.

All of the information and photographs contributed by
Lois Winn were obtained under grants from the Office of
Naval Research. Funds and assistance for the preparation of
intermediated drafts and logistics support for all stages of
preparation of this guide were provided by Biological Sys-
tems, Inc., St. Augustine, Fla.

In addition to securing funds for the preparation and
publication of this guide, Paul Sund, Platforms of Oppor-

tunity Program, NMFS, Tiburon, Calif., provided continuing
help and criticism.

To these and to all who use this guide to further help
knowledge about the cetaceans of the western North
Atlantic, we are grateful.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

ANDERSEN. H. T. (editor).

1969. The biology of marine mammals. Academic Press, N.Y.. 511

P-
BURT, W. H.

1952. A field guide to the mammals. Houghton Mifflin Co.. Boston,

200 p.
CALDWELL, D.K., and M. C. CALDWELL.

1973. Marine mammalsof the eastern Gulf of Mexico, /n J. I. Jones,

R. E. Ring, M. 0. Rinkel, and R. E. Smith (editors), A summary of

knowledge of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, p. IIM-l — 1II-I-23.

State Univ. Syst. Fla. Inst. Oceanogr., St. Petersburg, Fla.
CALDWELL, D. K., and F. B. GOLLEY.

1965. Marine mammals from the coast of Georgia to Cape Hatteras.
J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 81:24-32.

CALDWELL, D.K.. H. NEUHAUSER. M.C. CALDWELL, and H. W.
COOLIDGE.

1971. Recent records of marine mammals from the coasts of Geor
gia and South Carolina. Cetology 5:1-12.
FRASER, F. C.

1937. Whales and dolphins. In J. R. Norman and F. C. Fraser,
Giant fishes, whales and dolphins, p. 201-349. Putnam and Sons,
Lond. (There are several editions of this work, all with the same
information.]

1966. Guide for the identification and reporting of stranded whales,
dolphins and porpoises on the British coasts. Br. Mus. Nat. Hist.,
Lond., 34 p.

GOLLEY, F. B.

1966. South Carolina mammals. The Charleston Museum, Charles-
ton, S.C.. xiv + 181 p.
GUNTER, G.

1954. Mammals of the Gulf of Mexico. In P. S. Galtsoff (coordina
tori.Gulf of Mexico, its origin, waters, and marine life, p. 543-567.
U.S. Fish WUdl. Serv., Fish. BuU. Vol. 55.
HALL. E. R., and K. R. KELSON.

1959. Order cetacea — cetaceans. In The mammals of North
America. 2:806-840. Ronald Press, N.Y.
HERSHKOVITZ. P.

1966. Catalog of living whales. Bull. U.S. Natl. Mus. 246, 259 p.
KELLOGG, R.

1940. Whales, giants of the sea. Natl. Geogr. Mag. 77:35-90.
LAYNE, J. N.

1965. Observations on marine mammals in Florida waters. Bull.
Fla. State Mus., Biol. Sci. 9:131-181.

LEATHERWOOD, S., W. E. EVANS, and D. W. RICE.

1972. The whales, dolphins, and porpoises of the eastern north
Pacific. A guide to their identification in the water. Nav. Under-
seas Cent., Tech. Publ. 282, 175 p.

LOWERY, G. H., JR.

1974. Themammalsof Louisiana and its adjacent waters. Louisiana
State Univ. Press, Baton Rouge, 565 p.
MITCHELL, E. D.

1973. The status of the worid's whales. Nat. Can. 2(4):9 25.
MOORE, J. C.

1953. Distributionof marine mammals to Florida waters. Am. Midi.
Nat. 49:117 158.

NORRIS, K. S. (editor).

1966. Whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Univ. California Press,
Berkeley, 789 p.

PALMER, R. S.

1954. The mammal guide. Doubleday and Co., N.Y., 384 p.

152

RICE. D. W.

1967. Cetaceans. In S. Anderson and J. K. Jones (editors), Recent
mammals of the world; a synopsis of families, p. 291-324. The
Ronald Press. N.Y.

RICE. D. W.. and V. B. SCHEFFER.

1968. A list of the marine mammals of the world. U.S. Fish Wildl.
Serv., Spec. Sci. Rep. Fish. 579, 16 p.

RIDGEWAY, S. H. (editor).

1972. Mammals of the sea; biology and medicine. Charles C.
Thomas, Springfield, 111., xiii + 812 p.
SCHEVILL. W. E.

1974. The whale problem. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge,
Mass.. 297 p.
SERGEANT, D. E.. and H. D. FISHER.

1957. The smaller Cetacea of eastern Canadian waters. J. Fish.
Res. Board Can. 14:83115.
SERGEANT, D. E., A. W. MANSFIELD, and B. BECK.

1970. Inshore records of Cetacea of eastern Canada, 1949-68. J.
Fish. Res. Board Can. 27:1903-1915.

SLIJPER. E. J.

1962. Whales. Hutchinson and Co..
also an American edition.!

Ltd., Lond., 475 p. (There is

TOMILIN. A. G.

1967. Cetacea. Mammals of the U.S.S.R. and adjacent countries.
Isr. Program Sci. Transl.. Jerusalem, Vol. IX. 717 p. |A
compilation of worldwide data, originally published in Russian.]

TOWNSEND. C. H.

1935. The distribution of certain whales as shown by logbook records
of American whaleships. Zoologica (N.Y.) 19:1-50.

TRUE, F. W.

1889. Contributions to the natural history of the cetaceans, a review
of the family Delphinidae. Bull. U.S. Natl. Mus. 36:1-192.

WALKER, E. P.

1964. Mammalsof the world. The Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore,
p. 1083 1145. ICetaceans. There is also a second, revised edition
of this work, and a third, revised edition is planned.]

153

APPENDIX A
TAGS ON WHALES, DOLPHINS, AND PORPOISES

Field studies of cetaceans are very difficult. First, it is
extremely hard to be positive that an individual or a group of
animals is the same from one encounter to the next. This
means that it is nearly impossible to determine, for example,
whether herds of animals are resident in an area or only
seasonal visitors. Without information of this kind,
determinations vital to population management, such as sizes
of populations and natural ranges, are impossible to make.

Secondly, as we frequently point out in this guide,
individual cetaceans are usually visible to a surface observer
only during the brief moments when they break the air- water
interface to breathe. The majority of their vital activities
(e.g., feeding, reproduction, communication, establishing
and maintaining position within the herd, and defending
against natural enemies) take place primarily below the
surface, well out of view to a surface observer.

In recent years, in an attempt to overcome some of these
problems, scientists have been placing markers on various
species of cetaceans and monitoring their movements. The
following brief summary of major methods of tagging
cetaceans is provided to acquaint the reader with markers he
may expect to see in the western North Atlantic.

Static Tags

Since their development in the mid-1920's, numerous
Discovery marks (small stainless steel projectiles with
identifying information stamped on them) have been shot into
commercially valuable species by means of a shotgun. The
recovery of these marks from whales subsequently killed in
the whaling industry has provided valuable information on
the movement patterns and on basic aspects of the growth
and development of harvested species of whales. Discovery
marks are limited, however, because they are not visible in a
living animal. Reduction in whaling activities will bring about
a significant reduction in their use.

More recent tagging developments relate to marks which
will be visible on a free-swimming animal. Large whales, for
instance, may be tagged with color-coded streamers, such as
that shown in Appendix Figure A2. The tags, which are
modified versions of the spaghetti tags first constructed for
use on fishes, consist of a small stainless steel head for
attachment to the blubber and a colorful streamer ( sometimes
stamped with information on agencies to which tags should
be returned) which is visible above the surface of the animal.
These tags may be applied by using either a pole applicator or
a crossbow and crossbow bolts. Both applicators are equipped
with a stop to limit the depth of penetration into the animal's
blubber. Extensive experimentation indicates that the tags
do not harm the animals and that their application is not
traumatic. With the continued reduction in whaling activity,
it is hoped that the use of such markers in the study of
movements of big whales will be increased.

Because they often ride the bow wave of a moving vessel,
thereby making themselve accessible for tagging and
capture, small porpoises and dolphins have been tagged with
a greater variety of marks than large whales. In recent years,
at least three kinds of static tags, including spaghetti

|i^ni,u|iH|liiiiH|,li|iiyillllrl|Ulillljrll|lll|lll|iil|iii|ln|iil|liyin|ui|lli|l»^

Appendix Figure Al. — Some of the basic kinds of tags used to mark
porpoises, dolpliins, and small whales. A, B, and C are nylon button tags,
which are placed in the dorsal fin of animals and may be clearly visible as
the animal surfaces to breathe. D is a vinyl spaghetti tag. {Photo by R.
Krenic, courtesy of Naval Undersea Center.)

streamers, have been placed on small and medium-sized
cetaceans.

Spaghetti tags, placed in the animal's blubber near the
base of the dorsal fin as it rides the bow wave, stream to
conform to the contour of the animal's body as it swims ( App.
Fig. A3). It is not possible to identify the numbers on the
spaghetti tag of a moving animal, although color codes may be
used to indicate different species, populations, or tagging
areas.

Button tags and freeze brands are placed on captured
animals prior to their release. The button tags (App. Figs.
A4, A5) are placed in the dorsal fin and should be visible as the
animal surfaces to breathe or as it rides the bow wave. At
close range, the number, letter, or design may also be visible.
Freeze brands (App. Fig. A6) are placed on the back or dorsal
fin with a supercooled branding iron, apparently without pain
or discomfort to the animal, and provide a permanent mark
which leaves the tagged animal free of encumbrances. The
use of freeze brands shows promise and should come into
more extensive use.

Other static tagging techniques currently under
investigation include the use of laser beams to apply small

154

Appendix Fi^re A2. — A spaghetti tag in the
back of a blue whale off San Clemente Island,
Calif. {Photo by S. Leatherwood. )

■ ^

'♦^■WDjUW. .

Appendix Fwure A3 - A spaghetti tag in the flank of a bottlenosed dolphin off Loreto, Baja California, Mexico. This particular Ug was pbced

=,iLtes't:rr^ri;r.:rrri:r^^^^^^^^^

155

'^iftll.

Appendix Figure A4. — A button tag placed on the dorsal fin of a newly captured saddleback dolphin off Catalina Island, Calif.

{Photo by W. E. Evans.)

iummmt ■■

Appendix Figure A5.— This is the way the botton tag appears on an
animal swimming free in the open sea off Palos Verdes, Calif. (Photo by
B. Noble, courteiy of Marineland of the Pacific. )

brands and the use of gas branding devices. Neither
itechnique, however, has yet reached the field biolog^ist.

The success of any tagging program using static tags
depends on the resighting of tagged animals and the recovery
of tags. For that reason, we appeal to readers to be on the

Appendix Figure A6. — Freeze-branding is an apparently painless
method of applying a permanent identifying mark to the body of a
porpoise or whale. (PAoto of a bottlenoied dolphin offSaraiota, Flo., by
A. B. Irvine.)

lookout for tagged animals and to report sightings to one of
the authors.

Radio Transmitter Tags

In recent years, radio transmitter tags have been
developed for use on marine mammals. As they continue to
become more reliable, these tags are expected to come into
more and more widespread use.

Early radio tags (Fig. A7) were simple locator beacons
which permitted the animal to be tracked by sending a signal
to a tracking vessel or aircraft every time the animal surfaced
and the antenna tip was exposed. Even these basic package.^

156

Appendix Figure A7. — A saddleback dolphin wearing a radio tag
transmitter surfaces to breathe oH southern California. {Photo courtesy
ofW. E. Evam.)

provide important information on movement, activity
patterns, and respiration rates.

Subsequent developments have involved the addition of
sensors to monitor the maximum depth of each dive and
environmental parameters such as the water temperature at
that depth (Fig. A8).

Logical extensions of these developments include the
addition of numerous other sensors to permit simultaneous
monitoring of multiple aspects of the animal's environment
and the transmission of these data first to aircraft and
subsequently to satellites for relay to shore-based
laboratories.

In addition to permitting scientists to define movement
patterns and daily diving patterns of cetaceans, the use of
such devices offers an exciting means of determining the
environmental parameters that trigger changes in their
behavior.

Radio transmitter tags, in a variety of configurations,
may be constructed and attached for short-term studies or for
long-term monitoring of migrating animals. In either case,
depending on their size and methods of attachment, radio

Appendix Figure A8. — A radio transmitter package attached to the dorsal ridge of a California gray whale. This yearling animal, captive for most of the
first year of its life, was released into the ocean off San Diego, Calif., in March 1972 and subsequently tracked from shipboard and aircraft for over 30 days.
The sensor transmitter package, shown in detail in the inset, was designed to measure the maximum depth of the animal's dive and the water temperature
at that depth. (Photo by S. Leatherwood.)

157

transmitter tags may be visible on a free-swimming animal
even at a considerable distance.

Natural Markings

In addition to these man-made and applied tags,
variations in natural markings and unusual appearances may
be used to identify individuals and herds on repeated
encounters. Although many species of cetaceans are
characterized by changes in color pattern with age,
individuals occasionally differ radically in their coloration
from their fellows (App. Figs. A9, AlO). In addition, individ-

uals are sometimes seen with unusually shaped dorsal fins or
scarring patterns (App. Fig. All). These usually marked
animals should stand out in repeated encounters and can be a
help in identifying a herd from one encounter to another.

Obviously, this list of tags and anomalous markings is not
exhaustive. New marks may be developed at any time. The
discussion is intended to make the reader aware of the value
of information on natural or man-made marks in studies of
cetacean natural history. Your cooperation will perhaps help
us to unravel some of the mystery surrounding the
distribution and movements of porpoises, dolphins, and
whales.

Appendix Figure A9. — A piebald saddleback dolphin on the bow of a research vessel off San Clemente Island, Calif. (Photo by B. C. Parks.)

158

Appendix Figure AlO. — A nearly all-white pilot whale seen off Catalina Island, Calif. , in April 1971 . The observation of this same animal
at least once each quarter of the year is evidence that it is resident in that area. {Photo by S. Leatherwood.)

Appendix Figure All. — A herd of pilot whales off Catalina Island, Calif., including an animal with a partially chopped-off dorsal fin, which has made
him recognizable in repeated encounters with pilot whales around the various channel islands. {Photo by G. E. Ldngle. )

159

APPENDIX B
RECORDING AND REPORTING OBSERVATIONS OF CETACEANS AT SEA

To increase reliability of identifications, observers should
train themselves to ask the following kinds of questions each
time cetaceans are encountered:

1. How large was the animal?

2. Did it have a dorsal fin? If so, what was its size, shape,
and position on the animal's back?

3. Was the animal's blow visible? If so, how tall did it
appear? What was its shape? How frequently did the animal
blow?

4. What was the animal's color and color pattern?

5. Did it have any highly distinctive markings?

6. If it was a large or medium-sized animal, did it show its
tail flukes when it began its dive?

7. If it was a medium-sized or small animal, did it
approach, avoid, or ignore the vessel? Did it ride the bow
wave?

8. What was its behavior? Did it jump from the water? If
so, did it make a smooth graceful arching jump, or did it spin,
somersault, or reenter with a splash?

One characteristic is rarely sufficient by itself, and the
greater amount of relevant evidence the observer can obtain,
the greater the likelihood he can make a reliable
identification. But it is important to remember that even the
most experienced cetologists are often unable to make an
identification. Therefore, even if you cannot positively
identify an animal or even make a good guess as to its
identity, do not hesitate to fill out the rest of the sighting
record form and submit it to an appropriate office. Listing the
characters you observe and filling in as much of the form as
possible may enable a cetologist to make an identification
based on those characters and his knowledge of the
distribution, movements, and behavior of cetaceans. In this
regard, a sketch made as soon as possible after the encounter
and photographs taken from as many angles as possible will
aid in the identification.

Two sample sighting reports are provided to demonstrate
a method of recording observations. The first report,
"Sighting Information," is completed as an example and is
footnoted for explanation. The second report, "Cetacean
Data Record." located at the end of the guide, is blank and
may be photocopied in bulk for use in the field. Copies of this
or similar forms are available from any of the authors or from
National Marine Fisheries Service, Tiburon, Calif. Even if no
form is available, however, observations should be recorded
in rough form, in as much detail as possible.

Reliable intermittent reports of cetaceans are of interest
to cetologists. Their locations indicate seasonality of
distribution, and their frequencies help indicate relative
abundances of the various species. Because scientists are
attempting to determine areas in which cetaceans are often,
occasionally, seldom, or never found, and are ultimately
describing why animals are found in one area and not another,
persons who want to go a step further in their participation in
observer programs may want to keep and report records of
their entire cruise tracks and zones in which vigilance was
maintained but no cetaceans were observed. Data obtained in
this manner may be used as the foundation of estimates of
cetacean populations, estimates which are extremely difficult
to obtain by any other method.

To be of maximum use in such calculations, however,
records of this kind must include the following minimum
information: time and location of beginning and ending of
each continuous watch, weather conditions as they affect
visibility, sea state, ship's speed, height of the observer(s)
above the water, number of persons on watch, and details of
each sighting, particularly the estimated distance of the
animal(s) from the ship's track.

For a sample of a fictional continuous watch report might
look like the following. If sighting forms are available, these
observations may be recorded directly onto them. Addition-
al information can be recorded on the opposite side of the
forms.

AppeofUx Figure Bl. — A sample cruise track with
cetacean sightings. See text for detailed data recording.

■- NIGHT OR
NO WATCH

160

GENERAL INFORMATION

RV Melville (34-foot converted fishing boat)

U.S. Department of Commerce

NMFS

Hydrographic Cruise Miami. Florida to Flamingo, Florida

28-31 January 1973

2 observers (G.E. Lingle and G.M. Mohr)

Eye level of observers: 16 feet above water

Average ship speed: 8.0 knots during continuous watch

Continuous watch information I refer to Fig. Bl ):

Start End Start End

Leg Date time time position position

1-2 2/28 1200 1730

3-4 2/29 0800 1500

5-6 2/30 0700 1630

7-8 2/31 0700 0900

U. Miami Dock
Va. Key

24-26N
80-04E

25-12N
80-46W

25-00
80-45W

25-42N
80-02W

25-OON
81-04W

25-12N
81- low

Flamingo

Weather— Visibility

Beaufort II Visibility
3 miles

Beaufort I Visibility
3.5 miles

3.5 miles

Cetacean observations (refer to Fig. Bl):

A -2/28 1048 16 bottlenosed dolphins, Turstops truwcaiMs. 6 miles outside
our course, headed west— rode bow briefly.
Large concentrations of sea birds in area.
One porpoise freeze branded N- 1 on dorsal fin.

B- 2/29 1100 2 right whales directly ahead of vessle headed NE— 40-foot
female? with calf. 2 bottlenosed dolphins accompanying the
whales were riding pressure wave off whale's head.

C-2/29 1400 25-30 spotted porpoises, Stenella plagiodon, 1.25 miles
outside our course, heading 240° mag.
Did not ride bow wave.

D-2/30 1300 8 bottlenosed dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, 200-300 yards
inshore of our course, milling in area of concentrations of
mullet and other small schooling fishes, dolphins (porpoises)
and birds feeding on fish.

161

SIGHTING INFORMATION

WEATHER CONDITIONS :^^a#<g»-«icj rai^r) 'i>cf^^\\t>, VIS. I. My l-lS^m; ,Tg.^^ 4 Z" F
OCEANOGRAPHIC mNmTTONs'-^weHf, |-2^g.ef, ^ga-Jfergj uoK'.tg Gaf>f>

^ 1 i ^L I r- L 1 \ ' V *^C4-sr-4if/»SfO ^-

spF.rres^ Ki^U+ ujpalg-^, fcqbaiaetna <gUg.\a|is number of animaus).^^:

HEADING OF ANIMAL(S) OS^" SPEED OF ANIMAL(S) ll^

(MAGNETIC) (KNOTS)

ASSOCIATED npr,. MT^M«-B<^iflgn^^d Ao]p]n\ni> .^ur^\o^^ 4-rMncala6>Oj

TAGS OR UNUSUAL MARKTMHS^ng UjK-aW Ka j ^^g^ £>U^)n Bcro'^S back aL>o^4|

3jl-f. ]^eUxr\^ MovA?V>ole5> - 3^lga ^/- ^la$l-> uua>s coUrte.

CHARACTERISTICS OBSERVED WHICH RESULTED IN SPECIES IDENTIFICATION^^ K; 'vo —

BEHAVIOR OF amtmat.<.^AJuH- ujV^aU ^w^vn 6>^eajil^ ho»-4K, cralf-cUse

SKETCHED; ^^^^''^'^**^

* \ ^ .^ ^^ PHOTOS AVAILABLE YES *^ NO,

ADDITIONAL REMARKS 'Po^pK'H'b ^e^^n^•■n<g<j VAjJ-t-h wha\e$ e\r^\\^re. Y-j. hoa\r Q f-

NAME AND ADDRESS OF OBSERVER (SHIP OR A/C) (p. t. ■ U\)no^'€ -)

Maval (Jv^deH6ea Cenfgt-^ ^aiAl^-.e^o^ cSal.fo>r>r^-.a 'R^tS'Z ar>4
^.A. An-Vov^eliiS,K)MF6,6ea-H-)fioU)a6W.no,Von^S>loS s^^o*-^ ■^'^^ ^^

>lf latitude and longitude are not readily available, record best avaUable position, for example 5 hours at 10 knots, S,E ol Miami. /^obfi.

^Any oceanographic or bathymelric information obtainable at the time of sighting may be significant. Such measurements as water depth. Y

presence of large fish schools, or deep scattering layer/organisms (DSL) characteristics of the bottom (e.g.. flat sand plam. sea mount,
submarine cliff), surface temperature, depth of thermocline, and salinity should be included if available. In the Pacific, similar data have
been used to demonstrate reliable associations there between saddle hack dolphins and significant features of bottom relief and relationships
between the onset of their nighttime deep diving (feeding) patterns and the upward migration of the scattering layers.

' Sometimes two or more species of cetacean are found together. If more than one species is sighted, try to identify each. Give both com-
mon and scientific names of each, and even if you cannot identify the animal(s) describe, sketch, and. if possible, photograph them and fill out
the rest of the sighting report.

•Describe any tags seen (see Appendix A) and state their size, shape, color, and position on the animal's body and any symbols or
numbers they contain.

162

APPENDIX C

STRANDED WHALES, DOLPHINS, AND PORPOISES
With a Key to the Identification of Stranded Cetaceans of the Western North Atlantic

Stranded Animals

As we discussed briefly in tlie introduction to this guide,
whales, dolphins, and porpoises sometimes "strand" or
"beach" themselves, individually or in entire herds, for a
complex of still incompletely understood reasons. Though the
reasons suggested for these strandings appear almost as
numerous as the strandings themselves, two tenable
generalizations have recently been proposed.

Strandings of lone individuals usually involve an animal
which is sick or injured. Mass strandings, involving from
several to several hundred individuals, appear to be far more
complex and may result from fear reactions, from extremely
bad weather conditions, from herd- wide disease conditions,
or from failure of the echolocation system due to physiological
problems or environmental conditions which combine to
reduce its effectiveness, to mention only a few.

Whatever their causes, however, cetacean strandings
usually attract crowds and elicit much public interest and
sympathy. There are frequently attempts to save the lives of
the animals involved.

Individually stranded cetaceans rarely survive, even if
they are found soon after stranding and transported to
adequate holding facilities. This does not mean that every
attempt should not be made to save them.

In mass strandings, some individuals may be entirely

healthy, and if they are found soon enough after stranding,
properly protected and transported, and correctly cared for
in the initial few days after collection, they may survive in
captivity. Attempts to rescue all the animals in a mass
stranding by towing them out to sea have almost always been
frustrating because the animals usually swim repeatedly
back onto the beach.

If you discover a stranding and before you become
involved in an attempt to save a live stranded animal or to
collect data from a dead one, you should be aware of the
following:

Marine mammals are currently protected by law. Under
provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, it is
unlawful for persons without a permit to handle, harass, or
possess any marine mammal. It is within the authority of
State officials and employees of the National Marine
Fisheries Service to arrange for the care of live animals
through certified institutions, such as many of those listed in
Appendix E. (Even if the animals were not protected by law,
any impulse to take them to backyard swimming pools, for
instance, should be tempered by the knowledge that their
chances of survival are far greater in an institution with the
facilities and expertise to properly care for them.) The best
general rule is to notify the nearest State or National Marine
Fisheries Service office. If you prefer, however, you may

Appendix Figure CI. — Whales and dolphins, like this mixed school of false killer whales and bottlenosed dolphins, sometimes strand themselves
individually or as entire herds for a complex of still incompletely understood reasons. (Photo from Japan by S. Ohsumi.)

163

contact one of the institutions listed in the appendix and ask
them to handle the situation. Some will already have permits
to investigate strandings. Most will be anxious to help.

Although you cannot remove the animal from the beach
without a permit, you can help keep it alive until it can be
removed. Here are a few hints. WhUe waiting for help to
arrive, endeavor to keep the animal as comfortable as
possible. If it is not too large and surf conditions permit, it
should be removed to shallow water where it is barely afloat.
The buoyancy of the water will reduce the stress to the animal
and will help to keep it cool and prevent overheating— a real
danger to stranded cetaceans.

Whether or not the animal can be floated, care should be
taken to protect it from sunburn, drying out, and
overheating. If it is afloat, exposed parts should be frequently
splashed down. If it is high and dry, it should be covered with
damp cloth, particularly on the dorsal fin, flippers, and
flukes, and the body and the terrain should be frequently
watered to prevent the animal from overheating in the areas
in contact with the sand or rock.

In any case, be careful to leave the blowhole free so that
the animal can breathe. Note also that the eyes are
particularly sensitive and susceptible to injury; they should
be covered with a wet cloth and treated with special care.
With luck, this careful handling will be rewarded with the
animal's being picked up and transported to an aquarium,
where it can receive proper attention. But even if the animal
cannot be saved, collection and examination of the carcass can
provide valuable information to scientists working on the
biology of cetaceans, or on such problems as their disease
conditions and the effects of environmental pollutants on
them. Dead stranded cetaceans even in advanced stages of
decomposition are also an important source of materials for
museum study and display. Therefore, every attempt should
be made to get the carcass into the best hands. Dead
cetaceans, like the live ones, are protected by law and may
not be removed without a permit. The procedure for
obtaining permission to collect them is the same as that
outlined for live strandings. The majority of the institutions
along the western North Atlantic coast will respond to calls

about live or dead strandings. Even if you are unable to
contact an appropriate official, you can still collect some
valuable information by identifying the specimen, using the
following key, and by collecting measurements (see
Appendix D).

Identifying the Animal

Cetaceans may be found during or shortly after the
stranding or many months later, when the carcass is bloated
or rotted nearly beyond recognition. If the stranded animal is
alive or freshly dead, it can be identified by any of the
characteristics itemized in the text. But even if it is in an
advanced stage of decomposition it can be identified using the
key below. In general numbers and descriptions of teeth
(Table 1) and numbers and descriptions of baleen plates
(Table 2) persist longest as reliable identifying characteris-
tics. If they are still detectable on the carcass, numbers and
lengths of ventral g^rooves may also be used to separate the
balaenopterine whales.'

In order to use the key below, begin with the first pair of
opposing characteristics— one of the two will apply to the
specimen you are examining. On the line following that state-
ment there will be a paragraph number, go to that paragraph.
There you will find two more paired, opposing characteristics.
Again, one of the two will apply to the specimen you are ex-
amining. Select that one and go to the paragraph indicated on
the line following it. Continue this procedure until the state-
ment which is true for your specimen is followed by a species
name instead of a reference to another paragraph. This name
identifies the specimen. To verify your identification goto the
discussion of that species in the text. With a little practice and
careful attention to details, identification of whales,
dolphins, and porpoises will become easier.

'The tables were prepared primarily from Tomilin (1967) and
supplemented by miscellaneous published papers and our own
observations. The sections on toothed whales in the key were developed
following the general outline of Moore (1953).

KEY TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF STRANDED CETACEANS
OF THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC

1. a. Double blowhole: noteethpresent in either jaw; baleen plates in upper jaws.

(Baleen whale) Goto2

b. Single blowhole: teeth present (sometimes concealed beneath the gums): no baleen plates in upper

jaw. (Toothed whale) Goto9

2. a. Ventral grooves present; dorsal fin present; viewed in profile, upper jaw relatively flat and broad.

(Balaenopterine whale) Go to 3

b. Ventral grooves absent: dorsal fin absent: viewed in profile, upper jaw and lower lips strongly

arched: upper jaw very narrow. (Right whale) Go to 8

3. a. Ventral grooves end before navel. ^ p '° f

b. Ventral grooves extend to or beyond navel Go to 5

'Counts of ventral grooves are made between the flippers and do not include shorter grooves often found on the side of the head and on the side above the
flippers.

164

4. a. 50-70 ventral grooves, longest often ending between flippers; baleen less than 8 inches (20.3 cm),

mostly white or yellowish white (some posterior plates may be dark) with 1.5-25 white bristles per
centimeter; 300-325 plates per side.

Minke whale, p. 63
b. 38.56 ventral grooves, longest ending well short of navel; baleen less than 31 inches (78.7 cm), black
(some anteriormost plates may be white) and with 35-60 fine silky white bristles per centimeter; 318
340 plates per side.

Sei whale, p. 32

5. a. Flippers one-fourth to one-third length of the body length and knobbed on leading edge; less than 22

broad and conspicuous ventral grooves, longest extending at least to navel; head covered with
numerous knobs; baleen less than 24 inches (61 cm) , ash black to olive brown (sometimes whitish) with
10-35 grayish white bristles per centimeter; 270-400 plates per side.

Humpback whale, p. 40
b. Flippers less than one-fifth body length; no knobs; from 40 to 100 fine ventral grooves, longest

extending at least to navel; head lacks knobs Go to 6

6. a. Three ridges on head, one from blowholes, forward towards tip of snout, one auxiliary groove along

each side of main ridge; 40-50 ventral grooves; 250-300 slate-gray baleen plates with 15-35 dirty gray
bristles per centimeter.

Bryde's whale, p. 37
b. Only one prominent ridge on head,^ from just in front of blowholes forward towards tip of snout; 55-

100 ventral grooves Go to 7

7. a. Head broad and U-shaped; dorsal fin less than 13 inches (33 cm) and very far back on tail stock; baleen

all black with 10-30 black bristles per centimeter; plates extremely broad relative to length.

Blue whale, p. 19
b. Head broad at gape but sharply pointed on tip; dorsal fin to 24 inches (61 cm) and slightly more than
one-third forward from tail; right front one-fifth to one-third of baleen ivory white to yellowish white,
remainder dark gray to bluish gray streaked with yellowish white; plates have 10-35 gray or white
bristles per centimeter and are narrow relative to length.

Fin whale, p. 26

8. a. Top of snout not covered with callosities; 325-360 baleen plates per side, longest reaching 14 feet (4.3

m); plates black with black bristles (anterior portion of some plates may be whitish).

Bowhead whale, p. 49
b. Top of snout covered with callosities, often including lice and/or barnacles; 250-390 baleen plates per
side, longest reaching 7.2 feet (2.2 m); plates dirty or yellowish gray (some anterior plates all or part
white and some posterior plates brown or black) with 35-70 bristles per centimeter.

Right whale, p. 52

9. a. Upper part of head extending appreciably past tip of lower jaw; lower jaw markedly undershot and

considerably narrower than upper jaw Go to 10

b. Upper part of head not extending appreciably past tip of lower jaw; lower jaw approximately same

width as upper jaw Go to 12

10. a. Body more than 13 feet (4.0 m); head massive, to one-third of body length; blowhole located far

forward of eyes and to left front of head; dorsal fin low, triangular or rounded followed by series of
knuckles or crenulations; 18-25 teeth in each lower jaw fit into sockets in upper jaw (10-16 upper
teeth rarely emerge).

Sperm whale, p. 57

b. Body less than 13 feet (4.0 m); head considerably less than one-third body length; blowhole located
approximately even with eyes on top of head, slightly displaced to left but not on left front of head;
conspicuous dorsal fin present; 8-16 teeth in each lower jaw fitting into sockets in upper jaw Go to 1 1

11. a. No creases on throat; dorsal fin small and located in latter third of back; 12-16 teeth (rarely 10 11) in

each lower jaw.

Pygmy sperm whale, p. 144
b. Inconspicuous creases on throat; dorsal fin tall and falcate, resembling that of the Atlantic bottle-
nosed dolphin, and located near middle of back; 8-11 (rarely 13) extremely sharp teeth in each lower
jaw; rarely 1-3 teeth in each upper jaw.

Dwarf sperm whale, p. 148

'Blue whale has faint lateral ridges.

165

12. a. Two conspicuous grooves on outer surface of throat forming V-shape pointed forward; notch absent

or inconspicuous in flukes. (Beaked whale) Go to 13

b. No conspicuous grooves on outer surface of throat; deep median notch on rear margin of tail

flukes Go to 18

13. a. A pair of teeth located at the tip of the lower jaw (erupted only in adult males, concealed in females

and immature animals) Go to 14

b. Noteethat the tip of the lower jaw Goto 16

NOTE: Immature individuals of the species covered in paragraphs 14 and 15 may not be readily identifiable without
museum preparation and examination.

14. a. Two well-developed teeth, erupted or hidden beneath the gum, are compressed so they appear

elliptical in cross section; body to 16 feet (4.9 m); united portion of the lower jaws* more than one-
fourth the length of the entire lower jaw.

True's beaked whale, p. 77
b. Two well-developed teeth substantially less flattened so that they appear more nearly rounded

in cross section Go to 15

15. a. Distinct elongated beak; pronounced bulge to forehead; blowhole located in lateral crease behind

bulge; body to 32 feet (9.8 m); sometimes second pair of teeth behind first in lower jaw.

Northern bottlenosed whale, p. 67
b. No distinct beak; forehead slightly concave in front of blowhole, increasing in concavity with
increasing size; body to 23 feet (7.0 m); united portion of lower jaw less than one-fourth the length of
the entire lower jaw; head of adult males all white.

Goosebeaked whale, p. 70

16. a. A single pair of teeth in the united portion of the lower jaw, at the suture of the mandible (about one-

third of the way from the tip of the snout to the gape); length to 22 feet (6.7 m); flukes less than one-
fifth the body length.

Antillean beaked whale, p. 78
h A single pair of teeth backof united portion of lower jaw; body less than 17 feet (5.2 m) Goto 17

17. a. Teeth not exceptionally large and located immediately back of united portion of lower jaw. about half

way from the tip of the snout to the gape.

North Sea beaked whale, p. 82
b. Teeth exceptionally large, located on bony prominences near the corner of the mouth, and oriented
backwards; corners of mouth, particularly in adult males, have high-arching contour; flukes to one-
sixth or one- fifth of the body length.

Dense-beaked whale, p. 80

18. a. Rostrum, if present, not sharply demarcated from forehead Go to 19

b. Head has a distinct, though sometimes short rostrum separated from the forehead by a distinct crease angle ... Go to 30

19. a. Teeth spade-shaped, laterally compressed and relatively small; body to only about 5 feet (1.5 m);

22-28 teeth in each upper and lower jaw.

Harbor porpoise, p. 150
b. Teeth conical and sharply pointed (in cross section circular, or slightly flattened anteroposte-

riorly Go to 20

20. a. No distinct dorsal fin; back marked instead with small dorsal ridge near midpoint of back Go to 21

b. Distinct dorsal fin, in middleor forward third of the back Go to 22

21. a. 8-11 teeth in each upper jaw, 8-9 in each lower jaw; body of young slate gray or brownish, adults

white; short broad rostrum.

Beluga, p. 99
b. No visible teeth (or two teeth) in upper jaw of adults only; in males and sometimes females one or both
of these may grow up to 9-foot (2.7-m) tusk in left-hand (sinestral) spiral; no rostrum.

Narwhal, p. 102

' By feeling bet ween the lower jaws on the ventral surface and moving the finger forward towards the tip of the snout, one can feet the point at which the
two lower jaws become united (called the symphysis). This location is an important reference point in distinguishing among the species separated in
paragraphs 14. 15. and 16.

166

22. a. Head long and conical Go to 23

b. Head blunt Go to 24

23. a. 20-27 teeth in each upper and lower jaw; crowns of teeth often marked with many fine vertical

wrinkles; body to about 8 feet (2.4 m).

Rough-toothed dolphin, p. 135
b. 26-35 teeth in each upper and lower jaw; teeth smooth; body to about 5.6 feet (1.7 m); distribution
restricted to northern coast of South America, in the Guianas, and adjacent eastward territory
of Venezuela.

Guiana dolphin, p. 132

24. a. Teeth usually at front end of lower jaw only, 2-7 pairs (rarely teeth in upper jaw); all teeth may have

fallen out of the lower jaw of older specimens or may be extensively worn; forehead with median
crease; dorsal fin tall and distinct to 15 inches (38. 1 cm); body to 13 feet (4.0 m).

Grampus, p. 96
b. Teeth in both upper and lower jaws, 7 or more pairs, forehead with no median crease Go to 25

25. a. Flippers large and paddle-shaped, ovate, and rounded on the distal end; dorsal fin tall and erect to

6 feet (1.8 m) in males and 3 feet (0.9 m) in females; 10-12 teeth in each jaw; teeth to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in
diameter.

Killer whale, p. 84
b. Flippers long and pointed Go to 26

26. a. Dorsal fin located in forward one- third of body, very broad at the base; head bulbous.

(Pilotwhale) Goto27

b. Dorsal fin located near midpoint of back; headlong Go to 28

27. a. Flippersone-fifthof body length, or more.

Atlantic pilot whale, p. 91
b. Flippers one-sixth of body length, or less.

Short-finned pilot whale, p. 94

28. a. Flipper has distinctive hump on forward margin; 8-11 prominent teeth curved backwards and

inwards, in each upper and lower jaw.

False killer whale, p. 88
b. Flipper lacks distinctive hump on forward margin; 10-25 teeth in each upper and lower jaw Go to 29

29. a. 8-13 teeth in each jaw.

Pygmy killer whale, p. 138
b. 20-25 teeth in each upper jaw, 21-24 teeth in each lower jaw.

Many-toothed blackfish, p. 142

30. a. Beak short, usually less than about 1 inch (2.5 cm) ' Go to 31

b. Beak more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) Go to 33

31. a. Flippers very short; dorsal fin small and triangular; 38-44 teeth in each jaw; body to at least 8 feet (2. 4

ml; distinct black stripe from beak to area of anus; in profile beak shows very little separation from
forehead.

Fraser's dolphin, p. 120 ■
b. Flippers long relative to body length; dorsal fin tall and distinctly falcate; 22-40 teeth in each jaw; in

profile, beak shows distinct separation from forehead. {Lagenorkynchus sp.) Go to 32

32. a. 22-28 teeth in each jaw; dorsal fin all black; body to about 10 feet (3. 1 m).

White-beaked dolphin, p. 126
b. 30-40 teeth in each jaw (some animals have greater number in upper than in lower jaw); dorsal fin
part gray, part black; body to about 9 feet (2.7 m).

Atlantic white-sided dolphin, p. 123

33. a. 20-26 teeth in the upper jaws; 18-24 in the lower jaws; body to 12 feet (3.7 m); teeth may be

extensively worn.

Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin, p. 128

b. 26 or more teeth in both upper and lower jaws Go to 34

167

34. a. 29-36 teeth in each upper jaw; 28-36 in each lower jaw.

(Spotted dolphins) Go to 35

b. More than 40 teeth in each upper and lower jaw Go to 36

NOTE: Characters in paragraph 35 are usable only on fresh specimens. Spotted dolphins in advanced stages of
decomposition can be distinguished only with museum preparation and examination.

35. a. Bridle present (dark lines from eye to rostrum and from flippers to corner of mouth); cape on head

distinct; no spinal blaze.

Bridled dolphin, p. 108
b. Bridle absent though there is a light line from the flipper to the eye; cape indistinct; spinal blaze.

Atlantic spotted dolphin, p. 104

36. a. From 46-65 small, sharply pointed teeth; body dark gray on back, tan to light gray on sides, white

on belly; beak dark gray or black above, white below, and often black-tipped; body to about 7 feet
(2.1m).

Spinner dolphin, p. 110
b. From 40 to 50 teeth in each upper and lower jaw Go to 37

37. a. Body to 9 feet (2.7 m); black to dark gray on back, gray on sides, white on belly; distinctive black

stripes from eye to anus, eye to flipper, and dark dorsal coloration to side above flipper.

Striped dolphin, p. 113
b. Body to 8.5 feet (2.6 m) but usually less than 7.5 feet (2.3 m); body dark on back with light thoracic
patch and crisscross or hourglass pattern on side; black stripe from middle of lower jaw to origin
of flipper.

Saddleback dolphin, p. 116

168

APPENDIX D
RECORDING AND REPORTING DATA ON STRANDED CETACEANS

So that measurements of cetaceans taken at different
times and at widely divergent locations can be compared, the
measurements and the methods of taking them have been
standardized, although there is still some disagreement
about which of the measurements are most important. The
data form located at the end of this guide, usable on both
baleen and toothed whales, includes all the measurements
routinely taken by cetologists plus a few new ones the authors
consider important. The form and the directions for taking
measurements are synthesized from those currently in use by
the Naval Undersea Center, San Diego; the Fisheries
Research Board of Canada; the University of Rhode Island;
the University of Florida; the U.S. National Museum,
Washington, D.C.; and the National Marine Fisheries
Service, La Jolla, Calif.

Data on stranded cetaceans should be collected by
someone experienced in handling and measuring cetaceans.
The legal problems associated with collection of a specimen
are discussed in Appendix C. In addition to having a permit or
knowing how to obtain permission to collect the specimen,
persons active in cetacean research will usually have access to
laboratory facilities where in-depth studies, including
postmortem examinations and collection of tissues for
specialized laboratory examinations, can be conducted.
Furthermore, specialized equipment, and the number of
steps required to do a complete job with the specimen, make
the procedure prohibitive for most noncetologists. Diligent
attempts should be made to contact one of the institutions
listed in Appendix E. If no one is available and no permit or
approval is obtainable, you are limited to photographing,

37 36

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Appendix Figure Dl. — Locations and details of important measurements.

169

sketching, and measuring the specimen without removing
the carcass or any part of the carcass from the beach.

Any person taking data on stranded cetaceans should
follow the instructions itemized below, being careful to take
measurements in the manner prescribed and to record data in
as much detail as possible.

1. Specimens should be preserved in 10% neutral
Formalin, except for the stomach contents, which should be
kept in 70% ethyl or 40% isopropyl alcohol, or be frozen.
Commercial rubbing alcohol will suffice. As a minimum, the
head, flippers, and reproductive tract should be preserved. If
no other method of handling the specimen is available, and
only as a last resort, it may be buried in the sand well above
the high tide line and carefully marked so it can later be
recovered. Burying usually results in the loss of some vital
parts.

2. The carcass should be examined for external parasites
particularly in such areas as the blowhole(s), the eyes, any
wounds on the trailing edges of the dorsal fin, flippers, and
flukes. Occasionally barnacles will be found on teeth or baleen
plates. Like the stomach contents, parasites should be
preserved in alcohol.

3. Photographs and sketches are a valuable part of data
collection— views of the animal(s) from as many angles as

possible, and detailed shots of such features as baleen plates,
mouth and teeth, ventral grooves, flippers, flukes, and
unusual scars or coloration should be included. Including a
ruler for size reference may be helpful.

4. Although scientific data are usually expressed in metric
units, measurements should be taken in whatever units are
readily available. All measurements should be taken in a
straight line, as shown in the diagram, unless otherwise
noted. Measurements which refer to the rostrum are taken
from the tip of the upper jaw. The external auditory meatus
(ear) is a small inconspicuous opening located just below and
behind the eye. To locate the ear the observer must
sometimes scrape away some of the skin to expose the
unpigmented ear canal beneath it.

.5. Throat grooves are short grooves found on the throat of
beaked whales, sperm whales, and dwarf sperm whales.
Ventral grooves are long grooves found only on
balaenopterine whales. Ventral grooves should be counted
between the flippers.

It is difficult to overstress the importance of data from
stranded cetaceans. For some species, the only data available
have come from stranded individuals. By carefully gleaning
from each specimen all the data that can be collected, you will
make a valuable addition to the body of knowledge on these
elusive animals.

170

APPENDIX E
LIST OF INSTITUTIONS TO CONTACT REGARDING STRANDED CETACEANS

The following list includes many of the institutions in the
area covered by this guide, which are likely to respond to
calls about stranded cetaceans. The institutions on the
mainland are listed roughly in order from north to south,
following the contour of the coast. Several island institutions
and organizations are also listed.

These institutions are the ones that come to mind as
having taken an active interest in cetacean strandings in the
recent past. In addition to these, almost any university
biology or zoology department. State or Federal conserva-
tion agency or marine laboratory, or local natural history
museum or society can recommend an interested biologist if
no staff member is interested. Such organizations are widely
distributed on or near the coasts and are usually adequately
listed in local telephone directories.

It should be obvious that organizations such as oceanaria
are the most likely ones to be interested in live animals on an
emergency basis. Even so, these organizations often
cooperate with biologists with whom they are familiar and so
will pick up dead animals for them as well. Conversely,
museums and the like are most interested in the dead animals
as they have no facilities for handling live ones. Nevertheless,
they often cooperate with institutions equipped to handle live
animals and will usually help in making arrangements for
picking up the live ones. Therefore, rather than the finder's
making a decision as to whether or not an institution should
be called because the animal is alive or dead, we would urge
that the nearest organization in the following list be contacted
under any circumstances.

Space is provided at the end of the list for additions of
contacts inadvertently overlooked in compiling this list, or of
institutions which come into being after its publication.

CANADA

Massachusetts

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole.
New England Ai|uarium, Central Wharf, Boston.
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University,
Cambridge.

Rhode Island

Narragansett Marine Laboratory, University of Rhode
Island, Kingston.

Connecticut

Mystic Marine Life Aquarium, Mystic.

.New York

New York Aquarium, Coney Island, Brooklyn.
American Museum of Natural History. Department of
Mammals, New York City.

New Jersey

Department of Biochemistry, Rutgers University, New

Brunswick,
also see New York.

Delaware

see New York,
see New Jersey.

Maryland

Department of Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University,

Baltimore,
also see District of Columbia.

District of Columbia

Division of Mammals, United States National Museum.

Newfoundland

Department of Biology, Memorial University of New-
foundland, St. John's.

Nova Scotia

Bedford Institute, Dartmouth.

Departments of Biology, Psychology and/or Physiology,

Dalhousie University, Halifax.
Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax.

Quebec

Arctic Unit, Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Ste.
Anne de Bellevue.

Ontario

Department of Zoology, University of Guelph, Guelph.

UNITED STATES

Maine

see Massachusetts.

New Hampshire

see Massachusetts.

Virginia

Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point.
also see District of Columbia.

North Carolina

Duke Marine Laboratory, Beaufort.
Institute of Fisheries Research, University of North
Carolina, Morehead City.

South Carolina

Charleston Museum, Charleston.

Grice Marine Biological Laboratory, College of Charles-
ton, Charleston.

Georgia

The Georgia Conservancy, The Clusky Building, 127

Abercorn Street, Savannah.
University of Georgia Marine Institute, Sapelo Island

(Darien).

Florida

Marineland of Florida, St. Augustine
University of Florida Biocommunication and Marine
Mammal Research Facility, St. Augustine.

171

Ocean World, Ft. Lauderdale.

Wometco Miami Seaquarium, Miami.

University of Miami School of Marine and Atmospheric

Sciences, Miami.
Sea World, Orlando.
Mote Marine Laboratory, Placida.
Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota.
A(|uatarium, St. Petersburg Beach.
Florida's Gulfarium, Ft. Walton Beach.

Alabama

see Florida (Florida's Gulfarium).
see Mississippi.

Mississippi

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs.

Louisiana

Museum of Natural Science, Louisiana State University,

Baton Rouge.
Marine Life Park, Gulfport.

Texas

Sea-Arama Marineworld, Galveston.

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas

A&M University, College Station.
Department of Zoology, University of Corpus Christi,

Corpus Christi.
University of Texas, Marine Science Institute, Port

Aransas.

Puerto Rico

Commercial Fisheries Laboratory, Department of
Agriculture, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Maya-
guez.

Department of Agriculture, Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, Santurce (San Juan).

Virgin Islands

Caribbean Research Institute, Red Hook, St. Thomas.

OTHERS

Mexico

Instituto Nacionale de Investigaciones Biologia

Pesquera, Division de Vertebrados Marinos, Mexico

7, D.F.
also see Texas.

Venezuela

Universidad de Oriente, Nucleo de Nueva Esparta,
Isla Margarita.

Jamaica

Department of Zoology, University of the West Indies,

Mona (Kingston).
Science Museum, Institute of Jamaica, Kingston.

Bahamas

Lerner Marine Laboratory, Bimini.

Nassau Aquarium, Nassau, New Providence.

Bermuda

Bermuda Biological Station, St. George's.
Government Aquarium and Museum, Flatts.

Cuba

Laboratorio de Vertebrados, Instituto de Biologia,
Academie de Ciencias de Cuba, Havana.

172

SIGHTING INFORMATION

DATE AND LOCAL TIME LOCATION

WEATHER CONDITIONS

OCEANOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS

SPECIES NUMBER OF ANIMAL(S)

HEADING OF ANIMAL(S) SPEED OF ANIMAL(S) _

(MAGNETIC) (KNOTS)

ASSOCIATED ORGANISMS

TAGS OR UNUSUAL MARKINGS

CHARACTERISTICS OBSERVED WHICH RESULTED IN SPECIES IDENTIFICATION

BEHAVIOR OF ANIMAL(S)

SKETCHES

PHOTOS AVAILABLE YES NO.

ADDITIONAL REMARKS

NAME AND ADDRESS OF OBSERVER (SHIP OR A/C)

173

SPECIES.

CETACEAN DATA RECORD

SEX LENGTH.

DATE/TIME STRANDED.

LOCATION OF COLLECTION

OBSERVER NAME/ADDRESS
SPECIMEN SENT TO

.WEIGHT

J) ATE/TIME DATA COLLECTED .

Straight line parallel
to the body axis

Point to point

MEASUREMENTS:

1 . Tip of upper jaw to deepest part of fluke notch

2 . Tip of upper jaw to center of anus

3. Tip of upper jaw to center of genital slit

4 . Tip of lower jaw to end of ventral grooves

5. Tip of upper jaw to center of umbilicus

6. Tipof upper jaw to top of dorsal fin

7 . Tip of upper jaw to leading edge of dorsal fin

8a. Tip of upper jaw to anterior insertion of flipper (right)

b. Tip of upper jaw to anterior insertion of flipper (left)
9. Tip of upper jaw to center of blowhole(s)
10 . Tip of upper jaw to anterior edge of blowhole(s )
11a. Tip of upper jaw to auditory meatus (right)

b. Tipof upper jaw to auditory meatus (left)
12a. Tip of upper jaw to center of eye (right)
b. Tipof upper jaw to center of eye (left)

13. Tipof upper jaw to angle of gape

14. Tipof upper jaw to apex of melon

15. Rostrum - maximum width

16. Throat grooves - length

174

Straight line parallel

to the body axi§ Point to point

17. Projectionof lower jaw beyond upper (if reverse, so state)

18. Center of eye to center of eye
19a. Height of eye (right)

b. Height of eye (left)
20a. Length of eye (right)

b. Length of eye (left)
21a. Centerof eye toangleof gape (right)

b. Centerofeyetoangleof gape (left)
22a. Center of eye to external auditory meatus (right)

b. Center of eye to external auditory meatus (left)
23a. Centerof eye to center of blowhole (right)

b. Centerof eye to center of blowhole (left)

24. Blowhole length

25. Blowhole width

26. Flipper width (right)

27. Flipper width (left)

28a. Flipper length - tip to anterior insertion (right)
b. Flipper length - tip to anterior insertion (left)

29a. Flipper length - tip to axilla (right)
b. Flipper length - tip to axilla (left)

30. Dorsal fin height

31. Dorsal fin base

32. Fluke span

33. Fluke width

34. Fluke depth of notch

175

Straight line parallel
to the body axis

Point to point

35. Notch of flukes to center of anus

36 . Notch of flukes to center of genital aperture

37. Notch of flukes to umbilicus

38 . Notch of flukes to nearest point on leading edge of flukes

39. Girth at anus

40. Girth at axilla

41. Girth at eye

42. Girth cm in front of notch of flukes

43a. Blubber thickness (middorsal)

b. Blubber thickness (lateral)

c. Blubber thickness (midventral)

44 . Width of head at post-orbital process of frontals

45. Tooth counts: right upper

right lower

left upper

left lower

46. Baleen counts: right upper

left upper

47. Baleen plates, length longest

48. Baleen plates, no. bristles/cm over 5 cm
49a. Mammary slit length (right)

b. Mammary slit length (left)

50. Genital slit length

51. Anal slit length

176

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