Short-finned pilot whales spy-hopping in the waters off of Guam - Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries
Short-finned pilot whales spy-hopping in the waters off of Guam - Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries
About the Species
Short-finned pilot whales are found globally in tropical and temperate oceans. They are one of two species of pilot whale, along with the long-finned pilot whale. The two species differ slightly in size, features, coloration, and pattern. In the field and at sea, it is very difficult to tell the difference between the two species.
Short-finned pilot whales are long-lived, slow to reproduce, and highly social. They live in stable groups of 15 to 30 animals composed of close family relatives, and tend to live in localized, resident populations, although some populations have wider ranges. Their diet consists primarily of squid, with a small amount of fish. They are commonly found along the coast close to the continental shelf, although some populations have been found to extend into deep, open ocean environments such as in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Pilot whales are often involved in mass strandings for reasons that are still unclear.
Three stocks of short-finned pilot whales are recognized in U.S. waters, which live along the U.S. east and west coasts, and around the Hawaiian Islands. On the west coast, short-finned pilot whales were once commonly seen, with an apparently resident population around Santa Catalina Island. After a strong El Niño in 1982 and 1983, short-finned pilot whales virtually disappeared from this area, and there are now thought to be about 800 animals in the West Coast stock. About 23,500 animals comprise the East Coast stock, around 2,000 in the Gulf of Mexico stock, and about 9,000 animals in the Hawaiian stock.
Population Status
Short-finned pilot whales, like all marine mammals, are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Review the most recent stock assessment reports with population estimates for short-finned pilot whales
Protected Status
CITES Appendix II
SPAW Annex II
- Throughout the Wider Caribbean Region
MMPA Protected
Appearance
The short-finned pilot whale has a bulbous melon head with no obvious rostrum. Its dorsal fin is far forward on its body and has a relatively long base. The body is black or dark brown, with a large gray saddle behind the dorsal fin.
Behavior and Diet
Short-finned pilot whales feed mainly on squid, but they may also feed on octopus and fish, all from moderately deep water of 1,000 feet or more. When they are traveling and foraging, a pilot whale group can spread out over an area a half-mile wide.
Short-finned pilot whales often occur in groups of 25 to 50 animals. Males have more than one mate—typically a group has one mature male for every eight mature females. Males generally leave their birth school, while females may stay in theirs for their entire lives.
They are known as the “cheetahs of the deep sea” for their deep, high-speed dives to chase and capture large squid.
Where They Live
Short-finned pilot whales prefer warmer tropical and temperate waters. They can be found at varying distances from shore, but typically prefer deeper waters. Areas with a high density of squid are their main foraging habitats.
Short-finned Pilot Whale Range Map
Lifespan & Reproduction
Short-finned pilot whales mature at around 10 years of age. The maximum lifespan is 45 years for males and 60 years for females.
Females have calves every 5 to 8 years. Older females do not give birth as often as younger females. They are pregnant for about 15 months, then nurse for at least 2 years. The last calf born to a mother may be nursed for as long as 15 years.
Threats
Entanglement in Fishing Gear
Short-finned pilot whales can become entangled in fishing gear, either swimming off with the gear attached or becoming anchored. They can become entangled in many different gear types, including gillnets, longlines, and trawls. Once entangled or hooked, whales may drag and swim with attached gear for long distances, resulting in fatigue, compromised feeding ability, or severe injury, which may lead to reduced reproductive success and death.
Hunting
Short-finned pilot whales are directly targeted and hunted in Japan and the Lesser Antilles.
Vessel Strikes
Vessel strikes can injure or kill short-finned pilot whales. Scarred short-finned pilot whales have been observed in Hawaiian waters.
Scientific Classification
| Animala |
Chordata |
Mammalia |
Cetacea |
Delphinidae |
Globicephala |
macrorhynchus |
