Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas)
Its scientific name means "black globe-head", referring to the bulbous forehead. This species shows a strong fidelity to the waters close to Tarifa. The animals mainly seem to follow their prey, which is squid. A mature male can reach a length of 6 m and a weight of 3.5 t.
Presence in the Strait of Gibraltar: permanent
Other names: pothead whale, caaing whale, longfin pilot whale, Atlantic pilot whale, blackfish
| Suborder: | toothed whales |
|---|---|
| Family: | Delphinidae (dolphins) |
| Size: | 3,8 - 6 m |
| Weight: | 1,8 - 3,5 t |
| Diet: | squid and fish |
| Status: | not endangered |
Features:
- dark grey or brown body
- off-white w-shaped patch on throat
- very long flippers (thus the name long-finned pilot whale)
- low falcate fin
- flukes with distinct notch