Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Globicephala macrorhynchus
- Common name
- Short-finned pilot whale
- Category
- Marine mammals
- Family
- Delphinidae
- Genus
- Globicephala
- Size
- 400–620 cm
- Depth
- 0–600 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- schooling, slow-mover
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Eastern Pacific
Description
Globicephala macrorhynchus reaches 6.2 m and 2 tons. Large dolphin (delphinid) black or very dark anthracite-gray with white anchor-shaped patch under chin and characteristic bulbous forehead (melon). Falciform dorsal fin placed far forward. Global tropical distribution, resident pockets in Macaronesia (southwest Tenerife semi-sedentary population). Lives in stable family pods of 10 to 30 individuals. Squid hunter at great depths. Ferry encounters in Canaries or Azores.
Photo of Short-finned pilot whale
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Short-finned pilot whale?
- Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) reaches 400–620 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Short-finned pilot whale?
- Short-finned pilot whale is found between 0–600 m deep.
- Is the Short-finned pilot whale dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Short-finned pilot whale?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Short-finned pilot whale?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Globicephala
Other species in the family Delphinidae
- Tursiops truncatus - Common bottlenose dolphin
- Stenella frontalis - Atlantic spotted dolphin
- Delphinus delphis - Common dolphin
- Orcinus orca - Killer whale
- Tursiops aduncus - Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
- Pseudorca crassidens - False Killer Whale
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 137096)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2440605)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia