Globicephala melas
long-finned pilot whale

Globicephala melas has a disjunct, antitropical distribution in the Northern and Southern hemispheres of the globe. It is absent from equatorial regions. The northern group is distributed in the Atlantic Ocean around Greenland, Iceland, the Barents and North seas, extending south to the north-east coast of the United States and east into the Mediterranean Sea. The southern group is distributed in the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Indian and South Pacific Oceans, particularly around Australia and New Zealand. Ocean currents where G. melas is found include the Benguela, Falkland, and Humboldt currents. (Oremus, 2009; Watson, 1981)

Long-finned pilot whales prefer cooler saltwater aquatic biomes from 13 to 30 degrees Celsius. Their diving depths can vary tremendously, with a range of from 30 to 1,800 meters. They are found in both pelagic and coastal aquatic biomes. (Canadas, 2006; Oremus, 2009; Watson, 1981)

The most characteristic trait of long-finned pilot whales is their large, bulbous, melon-shaped head. Long-finned pilot whales are mostly black with a gray saddle patch behind their dorsal fin and an anchor-shaped mark on their ventral surface. Males can reach up to 8.5 meters, with the average length being 6 meters, and can weigh up to 3,800 kg. Females are smaller, reaching a maximum length of 6 meters, with the average length being 4.8 meters, and can weigh up to 1,800 kg. Initially, calves do not have the bulbous head. The melon grows as the calf matures. (Bonner, 1989; Watson, 1981)

Mating takes place between, not within, pods. Males display an aggressive courtship behavior, including forcefully colliding melon-to-melon at a heightened speed. The mating system is polygynous. (Bonner, 1989; Canadas, 2006; Watson, 1981)

Mating can occur throughout the year, but the peak of the mating season is in the spring and early summer between April and June. Females are ready to breed when they are 6 years old. Males take longer to mature, reaching sexual maturity at around 12 years of age. Gestation lasts for 16 months, and females give birth to one offspring, weighing approximately 100 kg and measuring about 1.8 meters in length. Weaning occurs between 23 and 27 months of age. There is a four year hiatus between births. (Amos, et al., 1990; Ross, 2006; Watson, 1981)

Females are the primary caregivers for calves. Related females usually stay together and form a cohesive pod, whereas mature males travel from one pod to the next. (Amos, et al., 1990; Canadas, 2006)

Females live longer than males, with a maximum lifespan of 59 years. The maximum lifespan for males is 46 years. (Ross, 2006)

Long-finned pilot whales are highly gregarious creatures, living in pods. Pods are usually comprised of 10 to 50 individuals, but can be larger than 1000. While pods consist of both males and females, there are usually a greater number of females, since males have a higher mortality rate and leave their pod when sexually mature in order to mate. Pods participate in spy-hopping and tail-slapping activities. (Amos, et al., 1990; Ross, 2006)

Long-finned pilot whales are fully aquatic and nomadic, wandering over wide ranges throughout the year. Their movements track food resources, such as concentrations of squid. (Ross, 2006)

The dominant form of communication involves various audible whistles. Whistling remains simple during periods of rest. However, the intricacy of the whistles increases during times of excitement, as well as when the pod is in the process of killing prey. Complex whistles are also heard while the pod is eating and when traveling speeds are high. This indicates that such activities require a greater amount of coordination in the pod. Sounds are also used in echolocation, allowing these whales to orient themselves in space. (Watson, 1981; Weilgart and Whitehead, 1990)

Long-finned pilot whales are carnivorous, feeding primarily on mollusks and fish, and eating around 34 kg (75 lb) of food a day. Squid, such as Logio pealei and Illex illecebrous, are favorite foods. Fish, such as mackerel, Atlantic herring, cod, and turbot, are also popular foods. These whales are known to take advantage of the grouping effects of human commercial fishing activities as a way to easily catch prey. (Gannon, et al., 1997; Watson, 1981)

Humans are known predators of this species. Globicephala melas is hunted for its meat, especially in the Faeroe Islands. (Bonner, 1989)

Long-finned pilot whales may influence squid and fish populations throughout their range, since those are preferred foods and these whales consume massive amounts of food every day. (Ross, 2006)

One way in which long-finned pilot whales have a positive economic importance for humans is that it serves as a source of food for some humans. However, they are not an important source of food. Long-finned pilot whales are also maintained in captivity for human entertainment and education and are capable of learning to respond to human commands. Although the value of captive whales for education is very controversial. (Bonner, 1989)

Long-finned pilot whales sometimes become entangled in drift nets, a cost to the commercial fishing industry. However, the use of different net designs could make this more avoidable. (Ross, 2006)

Long-finned pilot whales are considered "data deficient" by the IUCN and the taxonomy of populations worldwide is unresolved. More than one species may be represented by G. melas populations and, if so, it is likely that several of those taxonomic units would be recognized at a higher risk category. Population declines are documented in most populations. A subspecies recognized from Japanese waters became extinct by the 12th century. As a whale species, long-finned pilot whales are listed on Appendix II of CITES. (Taylor, et al., 2008)

Long-finned pilot whales are one of two species in the genus Globicephala, the other being short-finned pilot whales, Globicephala macrohynchus. (Watson, 1981)