Pilot Whales

Pilot Whales
News
97 pilot whales stranded in Western Australia, with 51 already dying.
What
Refers to species of the genus Globicephala, which means 'round head'
Marine mammals with a bulbous head and thick, curved dorsal fin
Two species:
Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus)
Found in tropical and warm-temperate regions
Long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas)
Found mainly in colder waters
Features
Inhabit open waters but sometimes spotted near coastal areas
Typically nomadic
Form social groups of between 20 and 100 individuals
Social groups are matrilineal

News

  • Recently, 97 pilot whales were stranded in Western Australia, and unfortunately, 51 of them have already died.

What

  • Pilot whales refer to species of the genus Globicephala, which translates to ’round head.’
  • These marine mammals are characterized by their bulbous head and thick, curved dorsal fin.
  • There are two species of pilot whales:
    • Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), found in tropical and warm-temperate regions.
    • Long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), mainly found in colder waters.

Features

  • Pilot whales inhabit open waters but are sometimes spotted near coastal areas.
  • They are typically nomadic in their movements.
  • These whales form social groups of between 20 and 100 individuals.
  • The social groups of pilot whales are matrilineal, meaning they are organized around the female members of the group.

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