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Northwest Wildlife Online
Order Cetacea: Whales, Porpoises, and Dolphins
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The distinctive bubble shaped head and smiling face of the Beluga Whale, Delphinapterus leucas, pops up for a treat at the Point Defiance Zoo. A Humpback Whale, Megoptera novaeangliae, surfaces off the coast of Maui.
Two Sub-orders, six Families and 22 Species
of Order Cetacea represent wildlife in the Northwest:
BALEEN WHALES - SUB-ORDER MYSTICETI
Gray Whale Family - Eschrichtiidae
Gray whale - Eschrichtius robustus
Rorqual Whale Family - Balaenopteridae
Blue Whale - Balaenoptera musculus
Humpback - Megoptera novaeangliae
Northern Right Whale - Eubalaena glacialis
Common Finback - Balaenoptera physalus
Minke Whale - Balaeanoptera acustorostrata acutorostrata
Sei (Pollock) Whale - Balaenoptera borealis
TOOTHED WHALES - SUB-ORDER ODONTOCETI
Porpoise Family - Phoconidae
Harbor porpoise - Phocoena phocoena
Dall's porpoise - Phocoenoides dalli
Orcas and Dolphins - Delphinidae
Orca (Killer Whale) - Orcinus orca
False Killer Whale - Pseudorca crassidens
Short-finned Pilot Whale - Globicephala macrorhynchus
Common (Saddle-backed) Dolphin - Delphinu delphis
Striped Dolphin - Stenella coeruleoalba
Pacific White-sided Dolphin - Lagenorhynchus obliquidens
Risso's dolphin - Grampus griseus
Sperm Whale Family - Physeteridae
Sperm Whale - Physeter macrocephalus
Pygmy (Dwarf) Sperm Whale - Kogia simus
White Whale Family - Monodonitidae
Beluga Whale - Delphinapterus leucas
Beaked Whale Family - Ziphiidae
Cuvier's Beaked whale - Ziphius cavirostris
Baird's Beaked Whale - Beradius bairdi
Stejneger's Beaked Whale - Mesoplodon stejnegeri
Mystery and awe. No other group of animals in the wildlife of the Northwest has the same kind of effect as the sea dwelling mammals called Cetaceans. Extraordinary intelligence, size, and the veil of blue ocean secrecy that shrouds their life resonate with us like no other animal. Ninety species divided into 8 families inhabit all the oceans of the earth, but a surprising number of dolphins populate freshwater lakes and rivers.
The shores, inlets, and sounds of the Northwest offer some of the finest opportunities for Cetacean wildlife observation in the world. Situated adjacent to the North South migratory route of numerous whales and blessed with a permanent population of Orcas and porpoises in the Puget Sound, the Northwest provides year round viewing.
The Cetacea are divided into two major groups or sub-orders: those with mouths full of teeth and those with mouths filled with baleen. Both groups are well represented in our waters. Some species are so common that they are regularly seen by boaters and beach combers every day of the year. Others are so rare that only the most unique luck results in a sighting. Some beaked whales are so rare they are known mainly from strandings and carcasses washed onto the shore. Determining the the exact number of species in our area is a challenge. Sources differ, frequency of sightings, and the distance from shore are factors. The 22 species that I have included above are those that I can reliably find sources for.
Close up photo of the blowhole of a Beluga. Note the tight seal from the compressed "lips" of the blowhole. When whales breathe it does sound eerily similar to a human - but their breath is unmistakably fishy.
Not all of them, of course, are animals that you can expect to see. In addition to the previously mentioned beaked whales it is doubtful that any of us will encounter Blue, Sperm, Right or Sei whales without special dedication to the cause. But Grays, Humpbacks, and Minke whales are regularly sighted as are Orcas, Dall and Harbor porpoises, and the Pacific White-sided Dolphin. I've seen all of these without too much effort. These animals represent the four main families of Cetacean wildlife in the Northwest.
The Roqual Family (Balaenopteridae) are baleen whales. The common name is derived from a Norwegian word rorhval, "the whale having folds or pleats." The very visible furrows along the bottom of the mouth stretch like an elastic balloon when the whales engulf plankton. When the folds are squeezed back into shape sea water is forced out through the baleen and plankton is sifted out. Roquals possess two distinct blowholes that produce a characteristic spout, and a relatively small dorsal fin toward the rear of the body closer to the tail.
Another type of baleen whale is the Gray Whale (Eschrichtiidae) family. The Gray whale is the single member of this family. It is distinguished from the Roquals by a reduced number of throat pleats. Instead of the 10 to 100 furrows seen on the Roquals, Grays have just two to seven. They are also baleen feeders. Judging from the population numbers Gray whales this decreased density of throat folds not an apparent disadvantage. Grays have a small hump instead of a dorsal fin. With annual migrations of 10,000 to 14,000 miles they are one of the most well traveled animals in the world.
The Dophin (Delphinidae) family contains our most famous resident. The obviously toothed Orcas, the largest dolphin in the world, is a member of this group. Three pods of Orcas, (J,K, and L) are regular inhabitants of Puget Sound. There are two distinct populations. Permanent residents of the sound are fish eaters; Transient visitors feast on mammals, especially the numerous Harbor seals. Much smaller and more sleek in shape than the whales, dolphins are famously intelligent and provide great entertainment in the wild or in the zoo.
Less well known and less frequently encountered than the dolphins, is the Porpoise (Phocoenidae) family. Often mistaken for dolphins, porpoises are the smallest family in the Cetacean order and rarely exceed 6 feet. Porpoises are further distinguished from dolphins by a stouter build, shorter fins, and smaller teeth. There are just 6 species of porpoises worldwide. They are generally considered shy, but I have witnessed several Dall's porpoise play in the bow wave of a boat for twenty minutes at a time.
Our most fascinating wildlife residents, Cetaceans are abundant enough to be seen yet rare enough to spark wonder. Depending on location and time of year just about everyone in the Northwest has the opportunity to see these great creatures. Thousands travel up and down the coast every year and many are easily visible from the shore. Like the commercial says - get out there.
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Mission Editor Bio Site Map Contact Wildlife Park Links Further Study Wild Employment Northwest Trek