Long-finned Pilot Whale
| Scientific Name | Globicephala melas |  | |
| English Common Name | Long-finned pilot whale | ||
| Taxonomy | Class: Mammalia Order: Cetacea Sub-order: Odontoceti Family: Delphinidae Genus: Globicephala Species: melas (Sub-species: melas / edwardii) | ||
| Behaviour | Unlike their close relatives the short-finned pilot whales, the long-finned pilot whales are known to bow-ride and are slightly more acrobatic. Usually found in large groups of between 50 100 individuals and schools of several hundreds or thousands is not unusual. Long-finned pilot whales are one of the most commonly mass-stranded whales. Although it is very difficult to tell the difference between short-finned pilot whales and long-finned pilot whales, there are several differences that can help with identification; (1) The size of the flippers. Short-finned = approximately 14 19 % of body length. Long-finned = approximately 18 27 % of body length. Long-finned also have a more noticeable elbow edge to the fin. (2) Shape of the head. Long-finned slightly more bulbous and known to overhang lower jaw. (3) Number of teeth. Short-finned = between 14 18 teeth on both upper and lower jaws. Long-finned = between 16 24 teeth on both upper and lower jaws. (4) Group size Short-finned usually smaller group size than long-finned. | ||
| World Distribution | Science currently recognises two sub-species of Long-finned pilot whales; G. melas melas are found in the cold temperate and sub-polar waters of the North Atlantic and G. melas edwardii are found in the cold temperate and sub-polar waters of the Southern hemisphere. Both prefer deeper waters and although some are permanently offshore or inshore, others undertake seasonal migrations due to the availability of prey. | ||
| Morphology | One of the larger members of the dolphin family (newborns weigh approximately 75 kg and can measure between 1.8 2m; adults weigh between 1.8 3.5 tonnes and can measure between 3.8 6m), long-finned pilot whales are robust with black, or very dark grey, bodies. There is a distinctive W shaped white patch on the throat and some individuals may have a pale grey or white stripe behind the eye leading back to the dorsal fin. They have a very rounded, slightly bulbous head with no beak and an upturned mouth. The dorsal fin is set forward on the body with a very broad base and curves backwards; the size and shape will vary with sex and age of the animal. Flippers are found very far forward on the body, close to the head and are exceptionally long and slender with slightly curved edges and pointed tips. | ||
| Threats | The primary threat is incidental entanglement in fishing nets although in recent years, direct exploitation has been the major cause of a decline in numbers. | ||
| Status | No estimate of total abundance for the species is available. | ||
| Conservation Activities | CITES Appendix II (North and Baltic Sea populations) CMS Appendix II IUCN Least Concern | ||
