FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



Genus Rhachianectes 

 Gray Whale. — Rhachianectes glaucus (Cope) 



Names. — Gray Whale; California Gray Whale. 



General Description. — A medium-sized Whale — females 

 about forty feet in length, males somewhat smaller, about 

 thirty-five feet — varying in color from light mottled gray to 

 almost black; two longitudinal folds under throat, about fif- 

 teen inches apart and six feet in length ; eye slightly above and 



Fig. 125. California Gray Whale 



behind angle of mouth; external ear a small slit in skin about 

 two and a half inches long; no dorsal fin; pectoral fin narrow; 

 blubber six to ten inches thick; baleen fourteen to sixteen 

 inches long ; not often passing far out to sea, but following the 

 shore and spending much time in shoal bays and lagoons ; spout 

 quick and low; social in habit and congregating in large num- 

 bers when undisturbed; now very greatly reduced in numbers 

 and threatened with extinction. 



Geographical Distribution. — In North America along Paci- 

 fic coast. 



Family Balaenopteridae. Finback Whales, 

 Rorquals, Humpback Whales. 



Mandible conspicuously bowed outward ; rostrum broad 

 rather than deep. 



560 



