Pilot Whale (Globicephala)

The genus Pilot Whale consists of two species: the Long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) and the Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus). These animals belong to the oceanic dolphin family (Delphinidae), though their behavior is closer to that of the larger whales.

From here on we are descriping the Long-finned pilot whale. It has a bulbous forehead and is jet black or dark grey with grey or white markings on throat and belly and sometimes behind dorsal fin and eye. The dorsal fin is sickle shaped. The long flippers are about 15 to 20 % of total body length. It is sometimes known as the pothead whale because the shape of its head reminded early whalers of black cooking pots.

Females reach sexual maturity at about 3.7 m and 6 to 7 years of age. Males need about twice as long to reach sexual maturity at about 4.6 m and 12 years of age. An adult whale weighs 1.8 to 3.5 tonnes.

They are very social, family animals and may travel in groups of up to a hundred. A dominant male is mostly acting as a leader. Occasionally these groups socialize with Common Bottlenose Dolphins and risso's dolphins.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-finned_pilot_whale - 29.09.2010