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General
About 30 different marine mammals
have been reported in
Virginia’s coastal areas.
Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin
The most common marine mammal along our coast is the bottlenose
dolphin.
Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin
They are found from late spring well into the late
fall. They can grow to 12 feet and weigh 1400
pounds.
Other Dolphin
Less common in Virginia waters are the stripped and saddleback dolphin. These two tend to be
found more often in the offshore
waters.
Pilot WhalesPilot whales are
over 17 feet in length as adults. They are usually
found on the continental shelf where they feed
on squid.
Pilot Whales
Lacking the “beak” that is found with the true
dolphins, the head is large and blunt.
This species is often seen by offshore tuna
fishermen.
Harbor Porpoise
This is only true porpoise found in the North Atlantic.
It is a cold water species that is only found here in the
early spring.
Harbor Porpoise
This is a small cetacean which has a maximum
length of five feet.
Harbor Porpoise
Although they are found inshore, they are timid creatures that are not easily
sighted.
Harbor Porpoise
Of all of the cetaceans they
have the shortest lifespan. They are
capable of reaching 20 years,
but few do.
Sperm Whales
Sperm whales are the largest of the toothed whales.Found in all the world’s oceans, they are found offshore of the Virginia coast.
Sperm Whales
They have huge heads! And posses the largest brain of any creature that
ever lived!
Forty percent of their body weight is
from their head.
Sperm Whales
Sperm whales can dive to 3000 feet
where they feed on large squid. They
can stay submerged for over an hour.
Sperm Whales
Sperm whales have 18 to 25 teeth on each side of their lower jaw. These
teeth fit into sockets in the
upper jaw.
Sperm Whales
Adult males reach lengths of 49-59
feet and weigh up to 45 tons! Adult
females are much smaller with a
weight of only 14 tons.
Sperm Whales
Newborn calves weigh
approximately one ton and are 11-16
feet long.
Fin Whales
Fin whales grow to a length of 79 feet and are second in
size only to the blue whale.
They can weigh 50-70 tons!
Fin Whales
Like the blue whales, they have
an expandable throat grooves which are used when feeding.
Fin Whales
They have a varied diet which includes
squid, capelin, lanternfish, herring
and krill.
Fin Whales
Fin whales are also one of the fastest whales . They are called
“the greyhounds of the sea” as they
travel over 23 mph.
Fin Whales
Fin whales have been found
stranded in Virginia waters on many
occasions.
Fin Whales
Many believe they are the most
abundant large whale in our
waters.
Fin Whales
Fin whales apparently sleep on the surface at
night, and thus are subject to
collisions with ships.
Fin Whales
One fin whale was inadvertently brought into
Norfolk Harbor draped across the bow of a freighter.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whales are known for their
long fins and complex “songs”.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whales Grow to about 50
feet which is about the length of a
school bus.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whales are easily
recognized by their long flippers and
white bellies.
Humpback Whales
This whale is probably seen by
more “whale watchers” than any other of the large baleen whales.
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks filter their food through
baleen plates.They consume krill,
anchovies, sardines, mackerel
and other schooling fish.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whales can live up to 80
years!
Northern Right Whales
Right whales are about the same
size as humpback whales and are
occasionally found off our coast.
Northern Right Whales
Right whales were named by whalers
who considered them the “right” whales to hunt.
Northern Right Whales
They were rich in blubber, easy to catch and they
floated after being killed.
Northern Right Whales
Right whales can be easily
recognized by the large whitish bumps called
callosities which are found on their
heads
Northern Right Whales
Right whales are filter feeders that feed on plankton.
They swim around slowly with their mouths open.
Harbor Seals
This is the only seal species that
might be encountered in
Virginia.
Harbor Seals
They have been encountered near the mouth of the bay and up the James River to
Hopewell.
Harbor Seals
Seals can be distinguished by their lack of an
external ear and wide tail flippers that point back.
Harbor Seals
Harbor seals feed on fish, sea birds
and shellfish.
West Indian Manatee
There have been several sightings of
manatees in Virginia waters. This includes
sightings on the Hampton River and the James.
West Indian Manatee
Manatees are slow moving herbivores
that feed on aquatic plants.
They can grow over 13 feet.