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About the Whale
Pilot whales are easy to study for a number of reasons. During the day (especially the morning) they can be found logging at the surface of the water where they recuperate from their night-time hunting efforts in shallower, warm water. For this reason, the species is very easy to find and to photograph.
Photographing is an essential part of research because each individual animal has a unique dorsal fin on its back. A Pilot Whales dorsal fin is similar to that of a human's fingerprint; each is completely different to another and no two will ever be the same. All these can be photographed and compared to a catalogue of known individuals. This catalogue has been created by the Atlantic Whale Foundation and consists of nearly 800 named individuals.
Other Information
Population estimates over the past 13 years using the Atlantic Whale Foundation’s data suggest that there are some 1,000 Short-Finned Pilot Whales which frequent the water off the South West coast of Tenerife. Out of these thousand not all are thought to be resident. It is probable that half of these animals will be present in the same location throughout the year, whilst others are possibly undergoing small scale migrations or are transient.
Pilot whales are easy to study for a number of reasons. During the day (especially the morning) they can be found logging at the surface of the water where they recuperate from their night-time hunting efforts in shallower, warm water. For this reason, the species is very easy to find and to photograph.
Photographing is an essential part of research because each individual animal has a unique dorsal fin on its back. A Pilot Whales dorsal fin is similar to that of a human's fingerprint; each is completely different to another and no two will ever be the same. All these can be photographed and compared to a catalogue of known individuals. This catalogue has been created by the Atlantic Whale Foundation and consists of nearly 800 named individuals.
Other Information
Population estimates over the past 13 years using the Atlantic Whale Foundation’s data suggest that there are some 1,000 Short-Finned Pilot Whales which frequent the water off the South West coast of Tenerife. Out of these thousand not all are thought to be resident. It is probable that half of these animals will be present in the same location throughout the year, whilst others are possibly undergoing small scale migrations or are transient.
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Pilot Whale Factsheet
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Pilot Whale Information
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Pilot Whale - Family Associations
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