Long-finned Pilot Whale
Globicephala melas
Silhouette: Chris huh · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderCetacea
- FamilyDelphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)
- GenusGlobicephala (Pilot Whales)
- SpeciesGlobicephala melas (Long-finned Pilot Whale)
About the Long-finned Pilot Whale
The long-finned pilot whale or pothead whale (Globicephala melas) is a large species of oceanic dolphin. It shares the genus Globicephala with the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus). Long-finned pilot whales are known as such because of their unusually long pectoral fins.
Pilot whales get their name from the original belief that there was a "pilot" or lead individual in their groups. The name for the genus, "Globicephala" is derived from a combination of Latin globus ("globe") and Greek kephale ("head"). The specific name "melas" is Greek for "black". This species has also earned the nickname of "pothead whale" in some places because the shape of its head reminded early whalers of black cooking pots.
This species was first classified in 1809 by Thomas Stewart Traill and given the name "Delphinus melas". However, this scientific name was changed later to "Globicephala melaena". Then in 1986, the specific name for this species was reverted to its original form as "melas".
There is sexual dimorphism in the species. Females grow to a maximum length of up to 6 m (20 ft), and... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Long-finned Pilot Whale in Rakiura National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Rakiura National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cape Breton Highlands National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 2 | Rakiura National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 3 | Freycinet National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 4 | Vatnajokull National Park | 🇮🇸 Iceland | |
| 5 | Wilsons Promontory National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 6 | Abel Tasman National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 7 | Fiordland National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Long-finned Pilot Whale in Rakiura National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Long-finned Pilot Whale sighting in Rakiura National Park, based on 9 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Long-finned Pilot Whale in Rakiura National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for Long-finned Pilot Whale in Rakiura National Park in our monthly data.