Species Guide
Strap-toothed beaked whale
See all species Although rarely seen, the male strap-toothed whale is one of the few beaked whales that can be accurately identified at sea. The adult has two large tusks that grow up and over the upper jaw, making it impossible for them to open their mouth more than a few inches. Other names: Layard’s…
Read MoreTrue’s beaked whale
See all species Given that True’s beaked whales are found in two geographically distinct areas, it is thought that there might actually be two different species or sub-species of this beaked whale. Like other beaked whales True’s beaked whales have a ‘flipper pocket’, a small depression on each side of their body thought to assist…
Read MoreRough-toothed dolphin
See all species Rough-toothed dolphins are named after their peculiar teeth. Each tooth is ridged or wrinkled and has scratch marks on the surface. Rough-toothed dolphins have a distinctive appearance; they look like primitive dolphins; almost reptilian. Other names: slopehead; steno Male Female Calf Maximum length 2.8m 2.65m 1.0m Maximum weight 155kg 155kgkg Unknown IUCN…
Read MoreSouthern right whale dolphin
See all species These beautifully marked dolphins share a distinctive common feature with their northern cousins in having no dorsal fin. This is one of the least well-known species of dolphin, in part due to its preference for deep, oceanic waters and its distribution throughout the cool temperate sub-Antarctic waters of the southern hemisphere. Other…
Read MoreNorthern right whale dolphin
See all species Northern right whale dolphins are named after right whales for the simple reason that like their larger, whale namesakes, they also do not have a dorsal fin. Northern right whale dolphins are known for their distinctive black and white colour pattern and their dark, smooth, shiny backs. At sea, they are sometimes…
Read MoreHeaviside’s dolphin
See all species Heaviside’s dolphins are found in a limited section of African coastal waters. They have striking black, grey and white markings and are sometimes mistaken for baby orcas when spotted at sea. They were originally discovered off the South African coast by Captain Haviside and so are sometimes known as their original-intended name,…
Read MoreOmura’s whale
See all species Omura’s whale is a relatively small, super-streamlined, baleen whale. They have striking and unique asymmetrical black and white markings on the head and jaw; the lower jaw is white on the right side and black on the left. Omura’s whale is the most recently identified whale species; they were first recognised from…
Read MoreAtlantic white-sided dolphin
See all species Atlantic-white sided dolphins are a sociable species, often coming together to form large pods containing hundreds or thousands of dolphins. They will also sometimes be seen in the company of other species, including much larger baleen whales. Other names: Atlantic white-sided porpoise, Lag, Springer, Jumper Male Female Calf Maximum length 2.8m 2.5m…
Read MoreShort-finned pilot whale
See all species Short-finned pilot whales have been nicknamed as the “cheetahs of the deep sea” for their deep, high-speed, sprint-dives to chase and capture large squid. Pilot whales are extraordinarily social; their strong bonds motivate them to stick together through thick and thin, even when that means putting themselves at risk. Other names: pothead…
Read MoreSpectacled porpoise
See all species Despite very few sightings at sea, the spectacled porpoise is the second most commonly stranded cetacean in Tierra del Fuego in South America. Male Female Calf Maximum length 2.25m 2.05m 1.0m Maximum weight 115kg Unknown Unknown IUCN conservation status: Least concern What do spectacled porpoises look like? One of the larger members…
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