Whales, Dolphins, & Porpoises
Whales, dolphins, & porpoises from around the world swimming harmoniously together in a painting!
Killer Whale (Orca)
Killer whales, or orcas, live together in tight-knit family groups called pods where the oldest female is in charge. Though they are called whales, Killer whales are actually the largest member of the dolphin family. Dolphins typically have a single blowhole on top of their heads, whereas whales have two. Biologists recognize a multitude of different Killer Whale ecotypes around the world, that all specialize in hunting different kinds of food. Killer Whales are the apex predators of the sea and have no natural predators.
Sperm Whale
Sperm whales are the largest of the toothed whales, but they are most famous for their choice of food: the elusive giant squid. they do exist! Sperm whales can hold their breath for an amazing two hours in pursuit of their food. For this reason they prefer life in deeper water, near the equators, and near the pack ice in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Right Whale
There are three different species of right whale in the world: North Atlantic, North Pacific, & Southern. The species got its name because whalers considered them the "right" whale to hunt. as they swim slowly close to shore. They were hunted nearly to extinction during the active years of the whaling industry. Today, all species of right whale are protected by law, but only about 350 nOrth Atlantic right whales remain.
Humpback Whale
Humpback Whales are famous singers! They sing some of the longest and most complex songs in the animal kingdom. They are also talented acrobats; Lucky whale watching tours can sometimes see humpback whales breaching or flipper slapping. Humpback whales spend the winter in warm tropical waters, and the summers in cold nutrient-dense water where they can eat plankton and small schooling fish.
Long-Finned Pilot Whale
The Long-finned pilot whale has a cousin called the short-finned pilot whale, their only pronounced difference being their fin lengths. Pilot whales can be found in all the world's oceans, except for the arctic. Long-finned pilot whales are highly social animals and travel in matriarchal pods.
Bottlenose Dolphin
Bottlenose dolphins are one of the most widely recognized cetaceans in the world. They can be found in tropical and temperate oceans all around the world. Some populations are local, and some are migratory. Bottlenose dolphins are friendly, social, and incredibly acrobatic. Tour boats often see them leaping out of the water and playing! Dolphins use echolocation to track down food sources.
Minke Whale
Minke Whales are the smallest of the baleen whales. They usually travel in small groups but in areas closer to the poles, have been observed feeing in groups of up to 400. As Minke Whales can be found in polar, temperate, or tropical waters, they are considered cosmopolitan!
Beluga Whale
The adorable beluga whale lives far up north in the arctic and sub-arctic waters. Because of the cold climate they live in, they have robust bodies and a thick layer of blubber to keep them warm. Unlike other whales, belugas can move their heads up, down, and side to side. They can even make facial expressions like humans. Belugas are highly social; they travel in large pods that can number in the hundreds!
Blue Whale
The Blue whale is the largest animal in the world. adult Blue whales are about the length of three school busses. their hearts are the size of a small car. They can live to be 90 years old, though one individual reached the age of 110. Blue whale calves can gain 250 pounds per day while nursing. The largest animal on the planet eats the smallest. Blue whales feed mostly on krill and other small shrimp-like animals.
Common Dolphin
The common dolphin is one of the most abundant species of dolphin in the world. They are usually found in groups of hundreds, but can sometimes be seen in groups called mega-pods that number in the thousands. Common dolphins can be identified by their striking hourglass pattern!
Dall's Porpoise
The Dall's Porpoise is one of the fastest swimmers in the sea; over short distances they can swim at speeds of 34 miles per hour. Their distinctive pattern is an example of countershading. They are darker on top and lighter on the bottom in order to camouflage themselves from above and below. They are very friendly often ride in the pressure wake created by the bow of boats.
Narwhal
The unicorn of the sea! The narwhal's famous tusk is actually a long tooth that mostly occurs in males. About 1 in every 500 males develop two tusks. Narwhals spend their lives in the arctic. Cracks in the pack ice allow narwhals to come up for air. Due to their cold environment, they're about 50% body fat. Narwhals have expensive taste - one of their favorite foods is halibut.