Short-Finned Pilot Whale

• IUCN: Not Endangered/ Least Concern
• Other names: Blackfish
• Swahili name: Nyangumi pezi fupi
• Length: 5m(female) -7.2m (male)
• Weight: 1.500-3,000kg
• Life expectancy: sometimes more than 60 years
• Abundance: Offshore tropical and temperate waters around the world
• Occurance: Year-round; in Kenya from January to March
• Primary prey: Squid and large predatory fish
• Conservation status: Unknown, though there are concerns with fishery bycatch in many areas
• Quick key identification: Bulbous round head with a very small-almost non-existent beak, dorsal fin about 1/3 way from the head and with very wide base. Black/brown light gray anchor patch on chest. Noticeably robust thick bodied animal. Usually 7 to 9 teeth on each side of each jaw (24-40 teeth total).

The second largest species of dolphin, the Short-finned pilot whale is very sociable, friendly and rarely seen alone. Very similar to the Long-finned pilot whale and is often confused when spotted in areas where both inhabit. The difference between them lies in the length of the pectoral flippers which in this case, these are smaller. Locally, in Kenya and along the western Indian Ocean region, the can be confused with False killer-whale, pygmy killer whale and melon-headed whale.