Short-Finned Pilot Whale - Globicephala macroryhnchus


The behavior of the Short-finned pilot whale is similar to that of a dolphin rather than that of a whale. It is in fact scientifically described as being in the Delphinidae or dolphin family. The pilot whale is a dark, bulbous-headed animal that ranges from 13 up to 22 feet in length (males are larger) and can weigh as much as 4 tons or 8000 pounds. The dorsal fin of this species has a very broad base and appears quite low for its impressive size. It is also very concave on the trailing edge. This is a highly social species that travels in large pods of several hundred individuals, forming an impressive sight.

The spout is explosive for the size of the Pilot whale. Often they seem oblivious to boats and even on quite close approaches will remain so. At times, however, they can be aggresive. One day on the Sea of Cortez a Pilot whale came abreast of our small boat, forced its tailstock above the surface and twisted it in our direction. This effectively drenched our boat and a few cameras, with water. As there was a small calf nearby, my guess was that this individual was warning us to stay clear of the calf.

Short finned pilot whales are seen in all months of the year in the Sea of Cortez, but are unpredictable. Sometimes a few years can go by between sightings and at other times only a few days will pass between sightings. This species is most often observed in association with Bottlenose dolphins. It is assumed by some that since the Pilot whale is a deep diver and the Bottlenose dolphin a shallow diver, that the food the Pilot whale is chasing is driven upwards where the Bottlenose dolphins wait. What the dolphins don't manage to catch is then driven back downwards to where to the Pilot whales await. In this manner they assist one another and in between feeding times, travel together.

Whether this is completely the case or not, it is always a pleasure to see two species of marine mammals together and tolerant of one another. Pilot whales are somewhat difficult to identify individually, lacking pigmentation thereby leaving only the uncommon nicks missing from the trailing edge of the dorsal fin as the lone source of identification.

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