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Featured Species
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Pilot Whale
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The Long-finned pilot whale has longer pectoral fins and
more teeth than its relative. Its habitat, cold temperate to sub-polar waters
in both northern and southern hemispheres, is a sure indicator of species. It
travels in large pods, typically ten to fifty, but sometimes up to a thousand,
and often strands on the southern coast of the Australian mainland, the Tasmanian
coast, New Zealand, South America and Cape Cod. Mating is year-round, with 85%
of births from September to March off Tasmania. Calves usually weigh 80 kilograms
at birth. Mature males weigh up to 3 tonnes and live to 46 years. Females weigh
to 1.8 tonnes and live to 59 years. Searching shallow waters for certain species
of squid is thought to be the main cause of its frequent strandings.
The Short-finned pilot whale is found offshore in warm
temperate and tropical seas, mostly in the northern hemisphere, in pods of ten
to sixty. It often travels with dolphins but is easily identified because it
is much darker and larger (about five metres). Mature males can live to 46 years
and grow to 2 tonnes. Females can reach 60 years and 1.5 tonnes. Mating is year-round
and gestation is 14.9 months. Pilot whales are rarely seen to breach but can
dive to depths of 1,000 metres. They feed mainly on squid. They are intensely
social animals, possibly explaining why a whole pod will remain with a stranded
member.
References used:
Carwardine, M (1995) Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises - The visual Guide to all
the World's Cetaceans. Harper Collins
Carwardine, M; Hoyt, E; Fordyce, R.E. & Gill, P (1998) Whales, Dolphins
& Porpoises. Reader's Digest.
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