General
About 30 different
marine mammals
have been
reported in
Virginia’s coastal
areas.
Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin
The most common
marine mammal
along our coast
is the bottlenose
dolphin.
Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin
They are found
from late spring
well into the late
fall. They can
grow to 12 feet
and weigh 1400
pounds.
Other Dolphin
Less common in
Virginia waters
are the stripped
and saddleback
dolphin. These
two tend to be
found more often
in the offshore
waters.
Pilot Whales
Pilot whales are
over 17 feet in
length as adults.
They are usually
found on the
continental shelf
where they feed
on squid.
Pilot Whales
Lacking the “beak” that is
found with the true
dolphins, the head is
large and blunt.
This species is often
seen by offshore tuna
fishermen.
Harbor Porpoise
This is only true
porpoise found in
the North Atlantic.
It is a cold water
species that is only
found here in the
early spring.
Harbor Porpoise
This is a small
cetacean which
has a maximum
length of five feet.
Harbor Porpoise
Although they are
found inshore, they
are timid creatures
that are not easily
sighted.
Harbor Porpoise
Of all of the
cetaceans they
have the shortest
lifespan. They are
capable of
reaching 20 years,
but few do.
Sperm Whales
Sperm whales are
the largest of the
toothed whales.
Found in all the
world’s oceans,
they are found
offshore of the
Virginia coast.
Sperm Whales
They have huge
heads! And posses
the largest brain of
any creature that
ever lived!
Forty percent of their
body weight is
from their head.
Sperm Whales
Sperm whales can
dive to 3000 feet
where they feed on
large squid. They
can stay
submerged for
over an hour.
Sperm Whales
Sperm whales have
18 to 25 teeth on
each side of their
lower jaw. These
teeth fit into
sockets in the
upper jaw.
Sperm Whales
Adult males reach
lengths of 49-59
feet and weigh up
to 45 tons! Adult
females are much
smaller with a
weight of only 14
tons.
Sperm Whales
Newborn calves
weigh
approximately one
ton and are 11-16
feet long.
Fin Whales
Fin whales grow to
a length of 79 feet
and are second in
size only to the
blue whale.
They can weigh 50-
70 tons!
Fin Whales
Like the blue
whales, they have
an expandable
throat grooves
which are used
when feeding.
Fin Whales
They have a varied
diet which includes
squid, capelin,
lanternfish, herring
and krill.
Fin Whales
Fin whales are
also one of the
fastest whales .
They are called
“the greyhounds of
the sea” as they
travel over 23
mph.
Fin Whales
Fin whales have
been found
stranded in Virginia
waters on many
occasions.
Fin Whales
Many believe they
are the most
abundant large
whale in our
waters.
Fin Whales
Fin whales
apparently sleep
on the surface at
night, and thus are
subject to
collisions with
ships.
Fin Whales
One fin whale was
inadvertently
brought into
Norfolk Harbor
draped across the
bow of a freighter.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whales
are known for their
long fins and
complex “songs”.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whales
Grow to about 50
feet which is about
the length of a
school bus.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whales
are easily
recognized by their
long flippers and
white bellies.
Humpback Whales
This whale is
probably seen by
more “whale
watchers” than any
other of the large
baleen whales.
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks filter
their food through
baleen plates.
They consume krill,
anchovies,
sardines, mackerel
and other
schooling fish.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whales
can live up to 80
years!
Northern Right Whales
Right whales are
about the same
size as humpback
whales and are
occasionally found
off our coast.
Northern Right Whales
Right whales were
named by whalers
who considered
them the “right”
whales to hunt.
Northern Right Whales
They were rich in
blubber, easy to
catch and they
floated after being
killed.
Northern Right Whales
Right whales can
be easily
recognized by the
large whitish
bumps called
callosities which
are found on their
heads
Northern Right Whales
Right whales are
filter feeders that
feed on plankton.
They swim around
slowly with their
mouths open.
Harbor Seals
This is the only
seal species that
might be
encountered in
Virginia.
Harbor Seals
They have been
encountered near
the mouth of the
bay and up the
James River to
Hopewell.
Harbor Seals
Seals can be
distinguished by
their lack of an
external ear and
wide tail flippers
that point back.
Harbor Seals
Harbor seals feed
on fish, sea birds
and shellfish.
West Indian Manatee
There have been
several sightings of
manatees in
Virginia waters.
This includes
sightings on the
Hampton River
and the James.
West Indian Manatee
Manatees are slow
moving herbivores
that feed on
aquatic plants.
They can grow over
13 feet.