Long Finned Pilot Whale
Scientific
name
Globicephala
melas (=black globe-head)
Some people call them
"Potheads"...
Like
Killer Whales
(Orcas), Long Finned Whales are actually dolphins.
They
used to be called "Potheads" by whalers because the
shape of their head reminded of black cooking pots!
There
are stories of Pilot Whales helping to rescue sailors trapped
in crippled submarines.
Males
are known to live for up to 46 years and female up to 60.
Physical Description
Long Finned Whales
are toothed
whales so they have one blowhole.
Their forehead is very round like Risso's
Dolphins. They are black or dark grey. There is a white patch
on the throat and the chest. they have also a white stripe behind
each eye.
Pilot
Whales can be from 4 to 6 metres (the length of 2 Mini cars),
males are also much larger than females. They can weigh 1 800
to 3 500 kg which is as heavy as an elephant.
Feeding
Their favorite food
is squid
and small octopus but when none are available they will eat fish.
Behaviour
Long Finned Pilot
Whales are very social;
they travel in groups called pods of 10-50 and sometimes more
than 100 individuals! They are often seen with other dolphins,
porpoises and Minke
Whales.
They
don't like to jump and leap out of the water as much as Bottlenose
Dolphins. They prefer moving slowly and logging
at the surface.
Pilot
Whales generally take several breaths before diving for a few
minutes.
They
use clicks and whistles to talk together of find their food.
Threats
Long Finned Whales
are threatened by hunting and whaling.
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