Cetaceans (Whales and Dolphins)

Pilot Whales are actually dolphins and are distinguished by nearly black skin, bulbous-shaped head, and large-based dorsal fin that is set relatively far forward.

There are two species of pilot whales: Short-finned and Long-finned. They can be very difficult to distinguish at sea, unless you get a good look at the pectoral fins of an individual that rolls on its side, and even then there is some overlap in size between the two species. Both species occur in North Carolina waters, but Short-finneds are more common.

Some pilot whales show a lighter-colored saddle behind the dorsal fin.

Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus)

Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus)

Current studies indicate that the nearshore populations of Bottlenose Dolphins are distinct from the offshore populations, however the taxonomic status or relationship between these populations is still unclear.

"Flipper". This is the most commonly seen species of dolphin in eastern North America.

Offshore Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Offshore Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Locally common offshore in NC in winter, these dolphins sometimes form herds in the hundreds.

Note the hourglass pattern along the sides.

Found in offshore waters, these small dolphins enjoy riding bow waves.

Youngsters are unspotted.

Dall's Porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli)

Dall's Porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli)

The most commonly observed whale in North Carolina waters, Humpbacks can even be seen from shore along the Outer Banks.

Humpback Whales have variably-shaped small dorsal fins with a distinct hump at the base of the fin. Lots more Humpback Whale Photos here.

These large whales have square heads that make up 1/3 of their whole body.

Sperm Whales can be nearly 70 feet long and weigh over 100,000 pounds!

Sperm Whales lack dorsal fins but have a little hump in the middle of their backs.

With only a single blowhole, Sperm Whale blows in windless conditions are very distinctively ice cream cone shaped and angled to the left. Note that this picture was taken in windy conditions.

There were 7-8 whales in this pod. Three are visible in this photo (with a Wilson's Storm-Petrel on the upper left), and four are visible in the photo above (two under water, and two breaking the surface).

You can just see the mouth of this young whale.

I think this is the side of a fluke (tail fin), or possibly the whale rolled and this is a pectoral fin. Anyone know for sure?

This Sperm Whale breached several times several hundred yards away. I wish the photo were in better focus!

Here's another Sperm Whale we found in about 200' of water, much shallower than we usually see Sperm Whales in North Carolina waters. Sperm Whales often can be recognized from a long way off by their angled, singular, ice cream cone-shaped blows.

When whales show tail fins, that usually means they are diving and will be out of sight under water for potentially a long time.

After diving, whales usually leave a "slick" or calm spot on the water.