stock, white may extend up lighter pale gray area forward
sides. between flippers.
FLIPPERS
Smoothly rounded. Characteristic hump on forward
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.)
[Illustration: 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 Wometco 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, National Marine Fisheries Service and courtesy of E.
Shallenberger, Sea Life Park (middle); and courtesy of Wometco Miami
Seaquarium (bottom)._)]
[Illustration]
[Illustration: Figure 153.--Pygmy killer whales 5 miles off Kaena Point,
Oahu, Hawaii. These individuals were dark on the back with varying
degrees of lighter 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. Shallenberger, courtesy of Sea Life Park, Hawaii._)]
[Illustration: Figure 154.--Side and belly views of 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._)]
[Illustration: Figure 155.--Pygmy killer whales have from 8 to 11 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_)]
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 indistinguishable 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 15 per side per jaw (usually 21-25); both other
species have less than 15.
[Illustration: 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._)]
[Illustration: Figure 157.--A many-toothed blackfish stranded in Hawaii.
This species is smaller than the false killer whale and can be
positively identified by the number of teeth, larger than any other
blackfish. Many-toothed blackfish have from 21 to 25 teeth per side in
both the upper and lower jaws. Other blackfish species have fewer than
15; otherwise, with the exception of differences in flipper shape (those
of this species are pointed while those of pygmy killer whales are
rounded on the tip), coloration and body shape of the two species are
similar. (_Photo courtesy of T. Dohl._)]
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.
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 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 distinguished as
follows:
PYGMY SPERM WHALE DWARF SPERM WHALE
MAXIMUM SIZE
To 11 feet (3.4 m). To 9 feet (2.7 m).
DORSAL FIN
Small to 8 inches (20.3 cm), Taller, more like that of
falcate; located in latter third bottlenosed dolphins; located
of back. near the midpoint of the
back.
COLORATION
Both species are dark steel gray 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
TEETH
12-16 (rarely 10-11) in lower 8-11 (rarely 13) small and
jaw are larger; no teeth in extremely sharp teeth in
upper. lower jaw; sometimes have
up to 3 teeth in each upper
jaw.
THROAT
No creases or grooves on Several short irregular creases
throat. or grooves on throat.
[Illustration: 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. Ohsumi._)]
[Illustration: 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._)]
[Illustration: Figure 160.--On the beach the two species of Kogia 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. simus_, (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, Ga. (top) and
Atlantic Beach, Fla. (bottom) by D. K. Caldwell._)]
[Illustration: 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 tapering of the body at the tail stock. (_Photo by
D. K. Caldwell._)]
[Illustration: Figure 162.--Head of a pygmy sperm whale from
northeastern Florida showing gill-like, lightly pigmented "bracket
marks." (_Photo by F. G. Wood._)]
[Illustration: Figure 163.--A detailed 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 by D. K. Caldwell._)]
DWARF SPERM WHALE (T)
_Kogia simus_ (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 of _Kogia_, 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 blackfish. 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.
[Illustration: Figure 164.--A dwarf sperm whale stranded near St.
Augustine, Fla., shown swimming in the tank 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).
(_Photo courtesy of Marineland of Florida._)]
[Illustration: 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._)]
[Illustration: Figure 166.--Closeup of the tail flukes of a dwarf sperm
whale from the Florida east coast. Note that the dorsal ridge extends
almost to the notch in the flukes. (_Photo by W. A. Huck, courtesy of
Marineland of Florida._)]
HARBOR PORPOISE (T)
_Phocoena phocoena_ (Linnaeus 1758)
Other Common Names
Common porpoise, herring hog, puffing pig (Newfoundland 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 rounded
head, lacking a distinctive beak; 4) the small, triangular dorsal fin;
and 5) the shallow, inshore northerly distribution.
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 whales and humpback 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.
[Illustration: Figure 167.--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. Hall._)]
[Illustration: Figure 168.--A harbor porpoise harpooned in Passamaquoddy
Bay, New Brunswick. Harbor porpoises have from 23 to 28 small,
spade-shaped teeth in each upper jaw and from 22 to 26 in each lower
jaw. Note the rounded head, the absence of a beak, and the triangular
dorsal fin. (_Photo by D. E. Gaskin._)]
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
particularly 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 Laboratory, 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 B1 and D1 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 Bibliography."
All of the following colleagues read all or part of the manuscript and
made useful suggestions for its improvement: 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 Systems, Inc., St. Augustine, Fla.
In addition to securing funds for the preparation and publication of
this guide, Paul Sund, Platforms of Opportunity 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 mammals of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. _In_ J. I. Jones,
R. E. Ring, M. O. Rinkel, and R. E. Smith (editors), A summary of
knowledge of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, p. III-I-1--III-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 Georgia
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, Charleston,
S.C., xiv + 181 p.
GUNTER, G.
1954. Mammals of the Gulf of Mexico. _In_ P. S. Galtsoff
(coordinator), Gulf of Mexico, its origin, waters, and marine
life, p. 543-567. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Fish. Bull. 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.
Underseas Cent., Tech. Publ. 282, 175 p.
LOWERY, G. H., JR.
1974. The mammals of Louisiana and its adjacent waters. Louisiana
State Univ. Press, Baton Rouge, 565 p.
MITCHELL, E. D.
1973. The status of the world's whales. Nat. Can. 2(4):9-25.
MOORE, J. C.
1953. Distribution of marine mammals to Florida waters. Am. Midl.
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.
RICE, D. W.