Body to 4-5 m long. 



Body color black to dark gray, sometimes with a brownish or fawn coat. 



Back frequently scarred. 



Dorsal fin position varies with species but is behmd midpomt of 



back; fin moderate in size. 

 Distribution vanes with species, but apparently absent from Arctic, 

 Flukes not usually distinctly notched. 



Beaked Whales of the Genus 



Mcsoplodon (B) 



* Because there is so little known about the external 

 appearance of most beaked whales, we make no attempt here 

 to describe the five species known from the eastern North 

 Pacific. Persons wishing to identify beaked whales they see are 

 best advised to consult 3 detailed guide, such as Leatherwood 

 et al. (1982), 



Body to at least 9 m long. 



Body black with sharply demarcated white ventral marking and oval 



white patch above and behind eve; gray saddle behind dorsal fin 

 Body chunky. 



Dorsal fin m mature males can be very tall, sometimes nearly 2 m. 

 Dorsal fin in females and immature animals up to about 1 m, 



distinctly falcate. 

 Distributed from tropics to Arctic; most common in colder waters. 

 Often seen in shallow bays and river mouths and near shore. 

 Flukes may be raised on dive, usually partly white beneath. 



Killer Whale (Orca i 



Orwcus orca i^A) 



Body to at least 5.5 m long. 



Body black (faint gray blaze on belly between flippers and on side 



ot head). 

 Body slender. 



Head small and tapering anteriorly; mouthline long. 

 Large prominent teeth frequently visible at sea. 

 Flippers have distinct S-shaped leading edge. 

 Dorsal fin to 'Am high, falcate, and from rounded to pointed on 



tip; positioned well behind midpoint of back. 

 Distribution pelagic, tropical to warm temperate seas. 

 Frequently ride bow waves. 



False Killer Whale 

 Pseudorcii crawdcm (B/T) 



42 



