Melon-Headed Whale (Peponocephala electra)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Peponocephala electra
- Common name
- Melon-Headed Whale
- Category
- Marine mammals
- Family
- Delphinidae
- Genus
- Peponocephala
- Size
- 240–270 cm
- Depth
- 0–1300 m
- IUCN status
- Data deficient (DD)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- pelagic, fast-swimmer, schooling
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Pelagic dolphin (240-270 cm) black-grey with compact round head. Pelagic (0-1300 m) tropical-subtropical. Fast dense schools. Conservation: data deficient. Diving: rare tropical pelagic.
Photo of Melon-Headed Whale
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Melon-Headed Whale?
- Melon-Headed Whale (Peponocephala electra) reaches 240–270 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Melon-Headed Whale?
- Melon-Headed Whale is found between 0–1300 m deep.
- Is the Melon-Headed Whale dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Melon-Headed Whale?
- IUCN status: Data deficient (DD).
- Where can you find the Melon-Headed Whale?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Delphinidae
- Tursiops truncatus - Common bottlenose dolphin
- Stenella frontalis - Atlantic spotted dolphin
- Delphinus delphis - Common dolphin
- Globicephala macrorhynchus - Short-finned pilot whale
- Orcinus orca - Killer whale
- Globicephala melas - Long-finned pilot whale
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 137103)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2440470)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia