Pilot whale

noun - Pilot whales are cetaceans. The two extant species are the long-finned pilot whale and the short-finned pilot whale. The two are not readily distinguished at sea, and analysis of the skulls is the best way to tell the difference between them. Between the two species, pilot whales range in waters nearly worldwide, with long-finned pilot whales living in cold waters and short-finned pilot whales living in tropical and subtropical waters. Pilot whales are among the largest of the oceanic dolphins, exceeded in size only by the killer whale. They and other large members of the dolphin family are also known as blackfish.

Pilot whales are primarily squid eaters, but will feed on fish, as well. They are also highly social, and studies suggest that both males and females remain in their mothers' pods, an unusual trait among mammals, also found in certain killer whale communities. Short-finned pilot whales are also one of the few mammal species where females go through menopause, and postreproductive females may contribute to the survival of younger members of their pods. Pilot whales are notorious for stranding themselves on beaches, and are among the most common cetacean stranders. Several theories have been proposed to account for this behavior. The status of both species is not understood, and they have been subject to direct and indirect catches by fisheries. Whalers in a few countries continue to hunt pilot whales.

Molokai Channel Crossing

Footage of Pat Gallant-Charette and pilot whales by Mike Scott

External links

• Marine Life Passing Through The Catalina Channel
• Whale Count From Point Vicente, California
• Michelle Macy Talks About Her Open Water Journey On WOWSA Live
• Michael Twigg-Smith, David Harvey, Mark Hamilton Talk About Channel Swimming On WOWSA Live
• Michael Twigg-Smith Talks About The Molokai Channel On WOWSA Live
• Kids Can Say The Cutest Things
• A Whale Of A Conservation Problem
• Badges Of Honour In Open Water Swimming
• The Roman Empire In The Open Water
• What Open Water Swim Could Be More Dangerous?
• Fish Or Meat? What Do Orcas Prefer?
• Julian Rusinek Finishes 2-Year Journey Between 2 Islands
• Paul Lundgren's Transformation Off The Grid Into The Wild
• 50 Things Open Water Swimmer Should Not Do
• 100 Things Every Open Water Swimmer Should Know
• World Open Water Swimming Association
• Where Landmarks Are Pure Snowy White
• Fearless And Frozen At The Bottom Of The World
• The Perfect Open Water Swimming Venue
• Marathoning From Mozambique To Madagascar
• Graeme Lowe Reaches The Scottish Shore From Jersey
• An Open Water Adventure For The Crew