Pilot & Killer Whales (Blackfish)

Orca (Killer Whale) (Orcinus orca)

The Orca is found in all oceans and seas of the world, from the deepest waters to the coast. They occur less in waters furthest from land and those which are not as productive in the tropics and sub-tropics. The degree of ice cover limits their polar distribution, and they do not normally migrate from warm to cold waters like the baleen whales do - they seem sturdy enough to be able to survive in one or the other, or both.

Classification: The Orca was classified by Linnaeus in 1758, with the original name of Dephinus orca - 'demon dolphin'. In 1860, however, a new genus was created, Orcinus, in recognition of the differences between this species and the smaller dolphins. Despite its size and common name, however, the Orca is, in fact, the largest dolphin, and is more closely related to them than to the 'great' whales. The False Killer Whale and Pygmy Killer Whale are quite separate species.

Local Names: Killer Whale; Orca Dolphin; Blackfish; Grampus; Great Killer Whale.

Description: The Orca is a well-known cetacean, made famous by captivity shows. It has a striking skin combination: the primary colour is black, but there is the addition of a grey 'saddle' behind the dorsal, and a brilliant white that covers three areas. Working back from the head, the first of these is the almost elliptical patch behind each eye. The second is on the underside of the jaw, extending back along the throat and belly to the flanks and vent area, where it forms a shape similar to the three prongs of a fork, two reaching up along the flanks while the third covers the vent area. The undersides of the tail flukes are also white. In some regions of the world the primary colour, black, is more of a dark grey. In males, the dorsal fin can reach up to 1.8m in height, and reaches straight up into the air, shaped rather like a triangle. In females the fin is smaller, about half the size, and more curved. The head is rounded, with an indistinct beak, inside of which are 10-12 pairs of large teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. This stocky species reaches a maximum length of 9.75m for males and 8.53m for females. The maximum body weights are 10.5 tonnes and 7.4 tonnes respectively.

Recognition at sea: The male Orca's dorsal fin is a tell-tale giveaway, being as tall as a man and shaped like a huge triangle. The blow is low and bushy, and they travel in pods of between three and twenty-five individuals, including at least one large male.

Habitat: Orcas occur from the polar regions to the equator, and are often found among ice floes. They can adapt to almost any conditions, and appear to be at home in both open sea and coastal waters. Occasionally they may enter estuaries, but when they do, they never stray far from the sea.

Food & Feeding: Known as the 'Wolves of the Sea', Orcas are fearsome predators. They have the most varied diet of all cetaceans, and can tackle prey of all shapes and sizes. Their co-ordinated hunting strategies - working as a team and not as individual units within the pod, akin to a pack of wolves - show their intellegence and cunning. Hunting in this fashion increases the yield of prey per individual, so that none go without. In some areas of the world, one Orca will hunt but shares the catch with the other members of its pod. Hunting normally occurs during dives of less than 100m, with members of the pod co-operating in keeping the prey at or near the surface. Known prey include a variety of both warm and cold-blooded creatures - at least five species of seals, the dugong, thirty species of fish, turtles, some two species of squid, seven species of seabird, and at least twenty-four species of cetacean, including the massive Blue Whale.

Behaviour: The typical family pod can reach a maximum of around fifty individuals, but most often numbers between 3-25. From behavioural studies in Canada, there are two types of pod recognised: residents and transients. Transients form smaller pods of between 1-7 individuals, roaming over a larger area and feeding mainly on mammals. They vocalise less frequently, often change direction abruptly when swimming, and remain underwater for up to fifteen minutes at a time. Residents, on the other hand, form larger pods, have smaller home ranges, and feed mainly on fish. They vocalise frequently, keep to predictable routes, and rarely stay underwater for more than four minutes. Both transients and residents are acrobatic at the water's surface; breaches, spy hops, and tail slaps are common, and there is little aggression within a pod. Mass strandings are rare, but have been known to occur. Studies have also shown that there are differences in vocalizations between pods. It seems each pod (or communities of pod, such as superpods where more than two pods congregate) has its own dialect, and this changes from pod to pod. Cetologists working in Canadian waters can now tell which pod is nearby simply by the differences in vocalizations. The degree of difference between pods' dialects reflect the degree of social interaction between the pods - for instance, if two pods' vocalizations are very similiar, then they interact with each other, maybe coming together as a superpod.

Longevity: Between 25-90 years, with females having a longer lifespan.

Estimated Current Population: Unknown, but locally common.

The Influence of Man: Orcas are normally a secondary target for whalers, although catches for meat and oil have been considerable in some areas. Norway, Japan and Russia took a combined total of 5,537 Orcas between 1938-81, with 916 of those killed in the 1979-80 whaling season. Greenland takes 2-3 every year. The other 'market' for Orcas concerns the live capture for public display, the most famous of which is probably Sea World. These cetaceans were taken mostly from the north-eastern Pacific Ocean (67 between 1962-73) and from Icelandic waters (84 between 1975-88, and still rising), and have shown to adapt well to captivity. Some calves have been captive-bred, and the annual survival rate of Orcas in Canada and the USA is 91%. Highlighted in the film Free Willy, captive Orcas (such as Lolita, Corky and Keiko) are currently at the centre of a major campaign movement around the world, which aims to rehabilitate the animals and release them back into the wild. Other problems that face the Orca stocks concern mainly food supplies - since Orcas do prey on fish such as herring and salmon, there is often competition between the cetaceans and fishermen for the fish - which most often results in the fishermen (or, in the case of Icelandic Orcas in 1956, the US Navy) 'clearing the area'. Less evident is the fact that, since Orcas are at the top end of the food chain, much of their food is likely to carry high contamination from water pollution.

False Killer Whale  (Pseudorca cra

The False Killer Whale is found in all oceans of the world, including the Mediterranean and Red Seas. It prefers mainly offshore waters in deep tropical, subtropical and warm temperate seas.

Classification: The False Killer Whale was first known from a skeleton from Lincolnshire, England, and Owen named it Phocaena crassidens. A mass stranding in 1860 proved its continued existence (something that had been in doubt) and after examining the animals, Danish zoologist Johannes Reinhardt amended the classification to Pseudorca crassidens, referring to this cetacean's resemblance to the Orca (Killer Whale). The specific name, crassidens, means 'thick-tooth', and is a reference to this species' robust teeth. This species is quite separate to the Orca.

Local Names: False Pilot Whale; Pseudorca.

Description: The False Killer Whale is a small and slim cetacean, with a tapering, rounded snout that overhangs the lower jaw, upon which there are between 8-11 pairs of teeth, matching the upper jaw. Above the mouthline, a crease trails from below the eye to the tip of the head. The dorsal is curved and located around halfway along the rounded body. The flippers have a broad hump on the leading edge which resembles a shoulder. The body colour is predominantly black, save for the odd faint grey marks on the head and throat. Males and females reach a maximum length of 5.96m and 5.1m respectively. Maximum weight in males is 2.2 tonnes; in females, 1.1 tonnes.

Recognition at sea: The False Killer Whale can be identified by their size and head shape; the latter and the shape of the dorsal are also useful in distinguishing them from Pilot Whales. Also, this is the only 'Blackfish' to bow-ride and swim rapidly at the surface.

Habitat: False Killer Whales tend to prefer warm temperate, subtropical and tropical waters, mainly in either semi-enclosed seas or in the open ocean away from land. Occasionally individuals have been spotted as far north as the northern UK, Norway and Alaska.

Food & Feeding: False Killer Whales prey mainly upon squid and large fish (such as tuna and dolphinfish), but have been known to attack groups of small cetaceans. This species has a bad reputation for taking bait from fishermen's lines.

Behaviour: The typical family unit contains between 10-50 individuals, but this cetacean is highly social and groups of several hundred are also common. A fast-swimming species, the False Killer Whale often gets excited, and porpoises (leaping clear of the water whilst swimming), bow-rides, and chases faster vessels. It has adapted well to captivity and is easily trained, showing much less aggression that the Pygmy Killer Whale. Mass strandings are common; in one case, over 800 individuals were found ashore.

Longevity: Unknown.

Estimated Current Population: Unknown, but considered rare.

The Influence of Man: Hundreds of False Killer Whales have recently been slaughted by Japanese fishermen who drove them ashore; not for food but because their yields of yellowtail have been decreasing and they blame this on cetaceans in the area. Accidental kills of this species (mainly by entrapment in fishing gear) is also common, and some individuals have been taken into captivity, where they have adapted well.

Pygmy Killer Whale (Feresa attenuata)

The Pygmy Killer Whale is found in all warm waters around the world, including the Mediterranean Sea. It is not thought to migrate, and is also thought to occur year-round in some regions, such as off Sri Lanka and the Lesser Antilles.

Classification: The Pygmy Killer Whale, though very similar to other 'Blackfish', belongs in its own genus, and was named by John Gray of the British Museum. Between 1827 and 1875, he repeatedly studied two skulls of a then unknown species, and after evaluating and re-evaluating them several times, named them Feresa attenuata.

Local Names: Slender Blackfish; Slender Pilot Whale.

Description: The Pygmy Killer Whale is the smallest of all the 'Blackfish' and is similar in size to many dolphins. The dorsal fin is high and fairly pointed, with a slight curve. The forehalf of the body is robust, with the region after the midsection slimmer. The head is rounded, with the upper jaw extending beyond the lower; there are 8-11 pairs of teeth in the former and 11-13 pairs in the latter. This cetacean is dark grey, brownish-grey or blue-black in colour, with a dark stripe extending backwards from the top of the head and widening around the dorsal region to become a saddle patch. The lips and occasionally all of the lower jaw are white (sometimes with a 'goatee' chin patch), and a light grey area stretches from the throat to the vent area. It reaches a maximum of 2.6m in length and weighs no more than 225kg in weight.

Recognition at sea: The Pygmy Killer Whale, though similar to the Melon-Headed Whale, can usually be identified by the shape of the head and dorsal. At close quarters, the white 'goatee' chin patch and shape of the flippers are also unique.

Habitat: Pygmy Killer Whales tend to prefer subtropical and tropical waters, particularly those that are deep and in the open ocean. They are rarely found in warm temperate and enclosed waters.

Food & Feeding: Pygmy Killer Whales prey mainly upon squid and large fish (such as tuna and dolphinfish), but have been known to attack groups of small cetaceans.

Behaviour: The typical family unit contains a maximum of 50 individuals, but often numbers 25. Several hundred may be seen together. Acrobatic at the surface, leaping, spy hopping and tail slapping, this species will occasionally bowride. The Pygmy Killer Whale is an aggressive species, often eliciting fear from other small cetaceans, and if kept in captivity, will often kill all others in the tank.

Longevity: Unknown.

Estimated Current Population: Unknown, but considered rare.

The Influence of Man: A few Pygmy Killer Whales have been taken by Japanese fishermen and in other small local catches. Many are killed from entrapments in fishing gear every year, but the precise number is unknown. Between 300-800 are caught annually off Sri Lanka. One or two have been taken into captivity, but not for long due to their fierce temperament.

Melon-Headed Whale (Peponocephala electra)

The Melon-Headed Whale has been seen in all major oceans, and it seems to have a continuous distribution in tropical and subtropical offshore waters.

Classification: The Melon-Headed Whale was initally thought to be a Lagenorhynchus dolphin until two North Pacific specimens were examined in the 1960s. In 1966, Nishiwaki and Norris created the new genus Peponocephala ('melon-head') specifically for this species. Not closely related to other cetaceans, the Melon-Headed Whale is generally accepted as an 'outcast' member of the 'Blackfish'.

Local Names: Melonheaded Whale; Many-Toothed Blackfish; Little Killer Whale; Electra Dolphin; Melonhead Whale.

Description: The Melon-Headed Whale is a small species, with a pointed, melon-shaped head and slender body. The dorsal fin is high and curved. The body colour is dark grey, bluish-black or dark brown, often with a dark strip that travels from the head to the dorsal and down onto the flanks. Occasionally there is a dark 'mask' on the face. The lips are white, and a dark grey 'anchor' shape (reminiscent of Pilot Whales) is present on the undersides. There are 20-25 pairs of teeth on both the upper and lower jaws. This cetacean reaches a maximum length of 2.75m and a maximum weight of 275kg.

Recognition at sea: The Melon-Headed Whale can be easily confused with the Pygmy Killer Whale (which is smaller) and the False Killer Whale (which is larger). The more pointed head, and more curved dorsal should be enough to distinguish this species from the above; and, on the beach, counting the number of teeth is a useful recognition tool.

Habitat: Melon-Headed Whales tend to prefer subtropical and tropical waters, particularly those that are deep and in the open ocean. They are rarely found in warm temperate and enclosed waters.

Food & Feeding: Melon-Headed Whales are thought to prey mainly upon squid and small fish.

Behaviour: The typical family unit contains a between 100-500 individuals, and occasionally can reach as many as 2,000. Often associating with dolphins, Melon-Headed Whales are an excitable species and can prove to be rapid swimmers. Mass strandings are common.

Longevity: Unknown.

Estimated Current Population: Unknown, but considered rare.

The Influence of Man: A few Melon-Headed Whales have been taken by Japanese fishermen in the past decades, and many are killed from entrapments in fishing gear. One or two have been taken into captivity, but not for longer than 17 months due to their fierce temperament.

Long-Finned Pilot Whale  (Globicephala melas)

The Long-Finned Pilot Whale can be found in all cold temperate and subpolar waters of all oceans except the North Pacific. It is not thought that Long-Finned Pilot Whales migrate.

Classification: The genus Globicephala ('globe-head') was created in 1828 and contained what was known as the Pilot Whale, then known as Globicephala melaena. There was some confusion as to how many species existed until 1971, when a review of the genus found differences in the length of flippers and in the skull of the animals. This lead to the recognition of two species, the Long-Finned Pilot Whale and its shorter-finned cousin. Though there are arguments that a subspecies of the former should also be included (namely those living in the Southern Hemisphere) under the name Globicephala melas edwardii, this is currently not recognised. The specific name melas means 'black', so this species is literally 'black globe-head'.

Local Names:: Pothead Whale; Caaing Whale; Longfin Pilot Whale; Atlantic Pilot Whale.

Description: The Long-Finned Pilot Whale is a fairly stocky whale, with low, rounded dorsal fin that is set one-third of the way along the body (in the young, the dorsal is more triangular). The flippers are pointed and long, often extending for as much as 25% of the body length in adults. The forehead is bulbous, leading to a small mouth which has between 8-13 pairs of teeth in each jaw. The body colour is very dark brown or grey-black, with the young being a lighter grey. Stranded animals are normally very dark. There is a light grey or white patch in the shape of an anchor on the throat and chest. There is also a streak behind the eye and a saddle patch behind the dorsal, but both of these can be either very visible or barely noticeable. Males reach a maximum of 6.3m and females 5.5m in length. The average body weight is 1.75 tonnes and 1 tonne respectively.

Recognition at sea: The Long-Finned Pilot Whale is normally found in groups of either tens or hundreds, and often with other small cetaceans or Minke Whales. The shape of the dorsal should be enough to distinguish this species from all others save for its closest relative, the Short-Finned Pilot Whale, and the only outward difference between these two is the size of the flippers. The Long-Finned Pilot Whale often 'logs', apparently asleep, at the surface, and when they do move they do so slowly. The blow is invisible.

Habitat: Long-Finned Pilot Whales prefer subpolar and temperate waters where the surface has a temperature of between 0-25º. They are mainly an oceanic species, though they will enter coastal and shallow waters in search of food. Since this is one of the cetaceans that are more commonly found stranded, it is assumed that they do not adapt well to shallow waters.

Food & Feeding: Long-Finned Pilot Whales mainly take squid as a food source, but when none are available they will take fish. It is thought, however, that this species will take any locally abundant schooling prey.

Behaviour: The typical family unit contains between 50-100 individuals. Although an extremely social species, Long-Finned Pilot Whales are not normally acrobatic, preferring to move slowly and 'log' at the surface. They vocalise with clicks and whistles.

Longevity: Between 35-60 years.

Estimated Current Population: Unknown, but thought to be common.

The Influence of Man: There has been incidental catches in fishery gear where over 100 whales were caught in 1988 alone, but the main threat to Long-Finned Pilot Whales has been coastal hunts. They have been taken in this way for centuries in the Northern Atlantic, mainly off Newfoundland and the Faroe Islands, with the average annual kill from the latter being 1,552 during 1936-78. In 1941 alone, 4,325 were taken by the Faroe Islands, and this number has been steadily rising. Despite protests and campaigns the Faroese will not cease their cull, where the seas really do run red...

Short-Finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus)

The Short-Finned Pilot Whale can be found in all tropical, subtropical and warm temperate oceans. Apart from following prey, it is not thought that Short-Finned Pilot Whales migrate.

Classification: John Gray of the British Museum named a pilot whale 'from the south seas' in 1846, using only skeletal material. He guessed that the species would have a large beak, and thus named it G. macrorhynchus - but he was proved incorrect. However, the name survived.

Local Names: Pothead Whale; Shortfin Pilot Whale; Pacific Pilot Whale.

Description: The Short-Finned Pilot Whale is a fairly stocky whale, with low, rounded dorsal fin that is set one-third of the way along the body (in the young, the dorsal is more triangular). The flippers are pointed and shorter than in the Long-Finned Pilot Whales, only extending for as much as 19% of the body length in adults. The forehead is bulbous, leading to a small mouth which has between 7-9 pairs of teeth in each jaw. The body colour is very dark brown or grey-black, with the young being a lighter grey. Stranded animals are normally very dark. There is a light grey or white patch in the shape of an anchor on the throat and chest. There is also a streak behind the eye and a saddle patch behind the dorsal, but both of these can be either very visible or barely noticeable. Males reach a maximum of 7.2m and females 5.1m in length, though the further north the stocks are, the smaller the whales become. Males are around 38% smaller, with females around 28%. The maximum body weight for southern stocks are 3.95 tonnes (males) and 1.4 tonnes (females).

Recognition at sea: The Short-Finned Pilot Whale is normally found in groups of either tens or hundreds. The shape of the dorsal and the bulbous head should be enough to distinguish this species from all others save for its closest relative, the Long-Finned Pilot Whale, and the only outward difference between these two is the size of the flippers.

Habitat: Short-Finned Pilot Whales prefer tropical, subtropical and warm temperate waters where the surface has a temperature of between 8-25º. They are mainly an oceanic species, though they will enter coastal and shallow waters in search of food. Since this is one of the cetaceans that are more commonly found stranded, it is assumed that they do not adapt well to shallow waters.

Food & Feeding: Short-Finned Pilot Whales mainly take squid and octopi, but when none are available they will take fish.

Behaviour: The typical family unit contains around 40 individuals, and occasionally numbers rise to the hundreds. Short-Finned Pilot Whales like to associate with other cetaceans. Although an extremely social species, Short-Finned Pilot Whales are not normally acrobatic, preferring to move slowly and 'log' at the surface. They vocalise with clicks and whistles.

Longevity: Between 40-65 years.

Estimated Current Population: Unknown, but thought to be common.

The Influence of Man: Short-Finned Pilot Whales were most often taken as practice by American whaling crews in the 1800s - 196 in 1881, and 843 between 1850-55, although the total number is probably in the thousands. Whaling off St Lucia and St Vincent in the 1960s and 1970s claimed 220-225 animals per year. Japan took around 320 per year during the early 1980s. A small number are taken by Canada, USA, and Peru every year through entrapment in fising gear. At least 140 have been taken for captive exhibits worldwide since 1963, but mortality rates are high - around half die every year.

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