What is Pilot whale?
[[File:1835 aquaimages.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Two pilot whales in the [[Indian Ocean]]]] '''Pilot whales''' are two species of [[oceanic dolphin]]s, whose scientific name is '''''Globicephala'''''. The two types of pilot whales are the [[long-finned pilot whale]] and the [[short-finned pilot whale]]. Their behaviour resembles that of the larger [[whale]]s more than that of [[dolphin]]s. The two look similar at sea and are usually just known simply as pilot whales or ''calderón'' in Spanish. They and other large dolphins are also known as '''blackfish'''. Pilot whales can be found nearly worldwide. The long-finned variety prefers colder waters, for example near [[Antarctica]]. The short-finned ones can also be found in tropical waters. Pilot whales are highly social animals, they live in groups of 20-30 animals, called ''pods''. Larger groups of over 100 pilot whales have been observed. Studies suggest that the young remain in the same pod as their parents, which is unusual for [[mammal]]s. Female short-finned pilot whales go through [[menopause]]. Females that no longer reproduce contribute to the survival of the young. For reasons which are unknown, pilot whales seem to end up stranded on a beach fairly often.<ref>BBC. Nearly 100 pilot whales die in mass stranding off New Zealand islands. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-55069038]</ref> == References == {{reflist}} {{commons|Globicephala}} {{wikispecies|Globicephala}} {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Oceanic dolphins]] [[Category:Mammals of Asia]]