General About 30 different marine mammals have been reported in Virginias coastal areas.

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.