Long-finned pilot whale. Juvenile long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas). This animal is not a whale,but a dolphin. It is found in all temperate and sub-polar waters except the North Pacific. Females give birth to a single calf after a gestation period of between 15 and 16 months. A new born calf measures just under 2 metres in length. It is nursed for 20 months and remains with its mother for 2 years. Females reach sexual maturity at 7 years of age and males at 12 years of age. The pilot whale is a social animal,that lives in groups,or pods,that can number 100s of individuals. They are usually found in deep water,eating mainly squid,but also fish and octopus. Photographed in the Mediterranean Sea | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Swann, Christopher |
Taille de l’image : | 5202 px × 3367 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |