Facts about Short-finned Pilot Whale

1. 06

   Eighteen months of gestation produce short-finned pilot whale calves weighing approximately 200 pounds at birth, among the largest newborns in the dolphin family.

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2. 05

   Vocalizations of short-finned pilot whales include distinctive clicks and whistles that allow individuals to maintain contact with pod members across distances up to one kilometer underwater.

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3. 04

   Male short-finned pilot whales typically weigh between 3,500 and 6,600 pounds, significantly heavier than females which average 2,200 to 3,500 pounds.

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4. 03

   Between 500 and 2,500 short-finned pilot whales inhabit Hawaiian waters year-round, making the islands a significant population hotspot in the Pacific Ocean.

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5. 02

   Matriarchs in short-finned pilot whale populations can live over 90 years and lead their family groups using accumulated knowledge of food sources.

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6. 01

   Pods of short-finned pilot whales can dive to depths exceeding 2,000 feet while hunting for squid in the mesopelagic zone.

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