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The
following is a list of whales and dolphins to be seen off the
coast of Dominica. They can be seen for the most part of the year,
although the months of December to March may be more productive
for sperm whale bulls.
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SPERM WHALE Grows to 69 feet. Has a large head, 1/4 to 1/3 of total length. Its blunt square snout projects beyond the lower jaw. A single blow hole is located left and foreward of its head. The spout shoots forward at a 45 degree angle. A dorsal hump is situated 2/3 back from the head. Its flukes are broad, triangular and deeply notched on trailing edges. This odontocete (toothed whale) feeds primarily on squids.
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SHORT FINNED PILOT WHALE Grows to 23 feet. It is black overall with a thick bulbous head. It has short flippers with a dorsal fin far forward on its back. It is called black fish, pilot whale, or 'bott' locally. This cetacean occurs in large herds; feeding on squids and fishes. Resting on the surface they position themselves side by side in lines. HUMPBACK WHALE Grows to 53 feet. It is thick and robust narrowing to the tail; with black colouring and white belly. It is a member of the suborder mystcetes or baleen whales. Its flippers are very long with scalloped leading edges. There are two blow holes on the top of its head which forms a ballon-shaped spout. It feeds on small schoolong fish and krill. It migrates seasonally.
Grows to 7 feet. It is grey and tan in colour with a long slender beak. This mammal has an erect, triangular dorsal fin. It swims in large herds and is known to leap clear of water rotating around its longitudinal axis. These dolphins are with us year round and are often seen (from the dive boats) in Scott's Head/Soufriere Bay. BOTTLENOSED DOLPHIN Grows to 12 feet. Its colouring is dark gray backs to white bellies; with a short defined beak. The dorsal fin is on the centre of its back. It rides bow waves and wakes of boats. Feeding on fishes, squids, shrimps and crabs, it uses echo-location to hunt prey. This dolphin is know to approach humans within touching distance. ATLANTIC SPOTTED DOLPHIN Grows to 8 feet. The colouring is dark with light spots on its back, and gray to white with darker spots on its sides and belly. The tip of the dorsal fin is pointed. Although generally found off-shore, they sometimes approach the coastline. Sometimes they ride bow waves and jump out of the water. They may occur in large herds but are more common in smaller groups |
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