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These are the most highly evolved of ancient marine animals. They have 2 living suborders: Mysticeti These are the baleen whales. They have no teeth and two blowholes. Baleen is a series of bristly plates rooted in the roof of the mouth – like the teeth of a comb. It is used to feed on krill (shrimp-like marine crustaceans found in pelagic waters). The whale will take both water and krill into the mouth. It will then filter the water out through the bristles, leaving the krill still in the mouth. The Humpback Whale, belongs to this group and is often seen in the winter in Hawaii. Odontoceti These are the toothed whales. They have teeth and only one blowhole. These include the Pilot Whales and the Dolphins. Short-finned Pilot Whale This animal is common world wide except in polar seas. The Long-finned pilot Whale (Globicephala malaena) is found in temperate and subpolar latitudes. The Short-finned Pilot Whale swims in tropical zones, but ranges far into the temperate regions of the West Pacific. It occurs year-round in Hawaii. It travels in herds of 20-40 or more and may also rest in groups at the surface. When traveling, they all stay together no matter what. This characteristic has led to numerous strandings of healthy whales worldwide. The mating system is polygynous and breeding is seasonal. Males live up to 46 years and females to 63. Males may migrate between herds after it is weaned. Females probably stay with the same herd throughout life. Their habits are nomadic, but they may periodically return to favorite areas. They feed on squid mainly, also herring, mackerel and other fish and invertebrates as well. Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin This is the local subspecies of spinner that are commonly found in tropical seas around the world. It has a spectacular habit of leaping high into the air, spinning like a top many times , then falling back into the sea on its back or side. This action is often done repeatedly. It may also do cartwheels, partial leaps, and vigorous slapping of the body against the water. It may even do this simultaneously with others in the pod. These actions peak around mid afternoon before the group spreads out at dusk to forage. After the nightly feeding the group will disperse by day into smaller groups near sore and in bays for rest and play. Contact is essential in these groups. Touching, muzzling and stroking are a common occurrence among all members of the pod. The Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin has a three-tone pigmentation patter that separates it from other forms of spinners. It has a sharply defined dark gray dorsal cape, a lighter gray side stripe and a white belly. Its snout is long and slender, designed for grasping small, soft-skinned fishes. |
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