Black pilot whales. Common pilot whale. Reproduction and lifespan

The pilot whale or ball-headed dolphin belongs to the dolphin family, although in its habits and way of life it is more similar to whales. This mammal lives in the central and northern waters Atlantic, as well as in the Southern Ocean. In the north, the pilot whale swims to the southern shores of Greenland. It can also be seen off the fjord-dotted coast of Norway, off the gloomy shores of Foggy Albion, and off the gently sloping Canadian coast. It happens for excursion purposes and in the waters Mediterranean Sea, but behaves there rather timidly and insecurely. Having circled off the coast of Libya and Tunisia, the ball-headed dolphin is in a hurry to return to the endless expanses dear to its heart. Atlantic Ocean.

In the far south, this mammal can pleasantly surprise residents of the South Sandwich Islands and even the South Orkney Islands with its appearance. In these godforsaken places the cold breath of Antarctica can already be felt, so the dolphin does not dare to swim further south. But he enjoys visiting the southern coasts of Australia and Africa, and in the Pacific waters adjacent to South America, even reaches Peru. From this it can be seen that the pilot whale is very inquisitive, curious and loves to travel.

In order to carry out such activities, you need strength and health. The nature of the ball-headed dolphin was not offended by this. She generously endowed him with excellent physical characteristics. The weight of adult males reaches 3.5 tons, and females weigh 1.8 tons. The body length of the stronger sex is 6 meters; for women this value is 4.8 meters. The conversation is, naturally, about already fully formed individuals. It should be taken into account that this mammal grows up to 20 years.

The color of the skin is coal black or dark gray. There are light gray markings on the throat and belly. Very often there is a rather large light gray spot behind the dorsal fin. Sometimes a similar color scheme is observed in the eyes. The dorsal fin is sickle-shaped. The lateral fins are long and correspond in size to 20% of the total body length. The head is shaped not like a ball, but rather like a melon. From the base it begins to expand, and towards the end of the muzzle it narrows. In general, the body of a mammal has excellent streamlining. This dolphin easily reaches a speed of 40 km/h in the water.

Grinda is a social animal and lives in large flocks. In such a public formation there are rarely fewer than 50 individuals. The leader is always a mature female. Males, although they have more impressive sizes, are in secondary roles. The main diet of this species is cephalopods. Fish is in second place and is eaten in much smaller quantities. The dolphin feeds at a depth of 30-60 meters. The maximum diving depth is 600 meters. Time under water, like all other species, rarely exceeds 15 minutes.

The mammal lives in the vast waters of the World Ocean for 60 years. This applies to females. The life expectancy of the stronger sex is shorter. Males almost never overcome the 45-year mark. Women are able to give birth even at the age of 50. This dolphin's pregnancy lasts 15 months. The born baby weighs 105 kg and his body length is 1.8 meters. Milk feeding lasts 2 years. Sexual maturity in females occurs at the age of 7 years, in males at 12 years.

Today, more than 1 million pilot whales live in the seas and oceans. That is, the species is not on the verge of destruction. There is practically no hunting for these animals except in the northern regions of the Atlantic Ocean. Between Scotland and Iceland are the Faroe Islands. These are the lands of the Kingdom of Denmark. They are inhabited by people who consider themselves descendants of the formidable Vikings. Once upon a time, fierce warriors awed all of Europe. They were ruthless invaders living by the sea. Their main diet was pilot whales.

Catching these mammals is not difficult at all. It is enough for only one dolphin to be captured. He begins to scream pitifully and give signals, calling for help from his relatives. The flock, in which mutual assistance is at the highest level, rushes to the shore. Here, during the ancient times, she was met by cruel warriors. The Vikings killed animals with spears, knives and swords. The carcasses were butchered and eaten.

Countless years have passed, but the tradition of the cruelest killing of poor animals remains. The current descendants of the formidable conquerors have long ago lost all passion. They turned into quiet, phlegmatic and law-abiding citizens. Their life is measured and monotonous. It would seem that there can be no talk of any kind of bloodthirstiness. However, medieval custom is strictly observed.

A dolphin is also caught and begins to call its relatives for help. Dozens of black bodies appear near the shore. And then the bacchanalia begins. The faces of people standing waist-deep in water are transformed. They are distorted by anger and rage. The eyes lose their meaningful expression. Long hooks and knives appear in their hands. With these objects they begin to mercilessly stab the poor animals, causing them terrible pain. The water is stained with blood, and the zombified public continues its terrible work, mercilessly killing pilot whales.

Elderly women, young mothers with young children stand on the shore and look at this whole bloody nightmare. calm eyes. It turns out that the fragile souls of little people are accustomed to pathological cruelty from a young age. A wild and terrible custom, which should have been forgotten a long time ago, rules the roost and corrupts the souls of people. U normal person At the sight of all this horror, my hair stands on end.

We must never forget that the dolphin is intelligent being. In terms of intelligence, he is quite a bit inferior to humans. By killing these intelligent animals just for fun, the “crown of nature” is likened to a primitive primate with wretched needs and desires. I would like to believe that ancient customs related to the pressing problem of food will be forgotten, and outright cruelty and bloodthirstiness will forever sink into oblivion.

Common pilot whale, northern pilot whale, black pilot whale, black Dolphin, ball-headed dolphin, or round-headed whale(lat. Globicephala melas) - marine mammal from the genus pilot whale ( Globicephala) dolphin family ( Delphinidae).

Appearance

Most characteristic feature The common pilot whale has a large head shaped like a melon. This form does not appear immediately after birth, but only after puberty. The color is mainly black, with a gray saddle-shaped spot behind the dorsal fin. The body length of males can reach 8.5 m, with an average of 6 m; weight up to 3,800 kg. Females are smaller in size: maximum body length is 6 m, average - 4.8 m, weight - up to 1,800 kg.

Behavior

Common pilot whales are social animals that live in flocks. Such flocks include from 10 to 50 animals, sometimes more than 1,000. There are usually more females, since males have high level mortality, and leave the flock as soon as they reach sexual maturity.

Pilot whales are nomadic animals, moving on large areas during the whole year. These movements play different roles, for example, for obtaining food.

To communicate with each other, common pilot whales use various sound whistles. These whistles are quite simple when resting, but when danger or prey approaches, the sounds become more complex. They [Who?] also used [by whom?] in echolocation, which allows whales to navigate in space.

Nutrition

Common pilot whales are carnivores. They feed mainly on shellfish and fish, and eat about 34 kg of food per day. Favorite food is squid, as well as various types of fish - cod, mackerel, herring.

Reproduction

Mating can occur at any time of the year, but the peak mating season occurs between April and June. Females are able to reproduce from the age of 6 years. Males reach sexual maturity much later - at 12 years. Pregnancy lasts 16 months, 1 kitten is born [Who?] . The weight of a newborn is about 100 kg, body length is about 1.8 m. Weaning occurs at the age of 23-27 months. After this, the female is able to give birth only after 4 years.

The maximum life expectancy for females is 59 years, for males - 46 years.

Spreading

Common pilot whales are distributed in temperate and subpolar zones. They are found in deep water or coastal waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean and North Sea. Previously found in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, where they are now probably absent. Around Antarctica, pilot whales range as far south as possible, sometimes as far as 68°S latitude.

Security status

Research conducted in 1989 showed that there are about 750,000 pilot whales in the central and northeastern Atlantic, and about 200,000 in the northeastern Atlantic. Around Antarctica, the pilot whale population is estimated at approximately 31,000 individuals. There is no evidence of a global change in the abundance of this species.

The fishery for common pilot whales takes place in the Faroe Islands and Greenland. And although fishing has been carried out since the 9th century, it has not caused a decline in animal numbers, as happened in Newfoundland. The average annual catch in the Faroe Islands is estimated at approximately 850 fish.

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Notes

Links

• : information on the website “Encyclopedia of Life” ( EOL) (English) (Retrieved December 19, 2010)

An excerpt characterizing the Common pilot whale

Marya Dmitrievna, finding a tearful Sonya in the corridor, forced her to confess everything. Having intercepted Natasha’s note and read it, Marya Dmitrievna, with the note in her hand, went up to Natasha.
“Bastard, shameless,” she told her. - I don’t want to hear anything! - Pushing away Natasha, who was looking at her with surprised but dry eyes, she locked it and ordered the janitor to let through the gate those people who would come that evening, but not to let them out, and ordered the footman to bring these people to her, sat down in the living room, waiting kidnappers.
When Gavrilo came to report to Marya Dmitrievna that the people who had come had run away, she stood up with a frown and folded her hands back, walked around the rooms for a long time, thinking about what she should do. At 12 o'clock at night, feeling the key in her pocket, she went to Natasha's room. Sonya sat in the corridor, sobbing.

(Globicephala) dolphin family ( Delphinidae).

Appearance

The most characteristic feature of the common pilot whale is its large, melon-shaped head. This form does not appear immediately after birth, but only after puberty. The color is mainly black, with a gray saddle-shaped spot behind the dorsal fin. The body length of males can reach 8.5 m, with an average of 6 m; weight up to 3,800 kg. Females are smaller in size: maximum body length is 6 m, average - 4.8 m, weight - up to 1,800 kg.

Behavior

Common pilot whales are social animals that live in flocks. Such packs include from 10 to 50 animals, sometimes more than 1,000. There are usually more females, since males have a high mortality rate, and leave the pack as soon as they reach sexual maturity.

Pilot whales are nomadic animals, moving over large areas throughout the year. These movements play different roles, for example, for obtaining food.

To communicate with each other, common pilot whales use the language of sounds. These signals are quite simple when resting, but when danger or prey approaches, the sounds become more complex. Sounds are also used by animals in echolocation, which allows whales to navigate in space.

Nutrition

Reproduction

Mating can occur at any time of the year, but the peak mating season occurs between April and June. Females are able to reproduce from the age of 6 years. Males reach sexual maturity much later - at 12 years. Pregnancy lasts 16 months, 1 cub is born. The weight of a newborn is about 100 kg, body length is about 1.8 m. Weaning occurs at the age of 23-27 months. After this, the female is able to give birth only after 4 years.

The maximum life expectancy for females is 59 years, for males - 46 years.

Grinda is a member of the dolphin family. Another name is ball-headed dolphin. In its behavior and way of life it is more reminiscent of a whale than a dolphin.

Habitat: northern and central waters of the Atlantic Ocean and South ocean. This mammal is found near the coasts of Norway, Canada, Foggy Albion, and off the southern coast of Greenland. Swims into the waters of the Mediterranean, but does not stay there for long and feels insecure and timid. He visits these areas mainly for informational purposes. Having been near the coasts of Tunisia and Libya, the pilot whale returns to its usual habitat, the Atlantic.

In the far southern regions, this mammal can be found near South Orkney and the South Sandwich Islands. Low in this area temperature regime, so the dolphin tries not to swim further south. Grinda loves to swim in the waters near Africa, the southern coast of Australia, and often swims along the Pacific coast of South America to Peru. The dolphin is constantly in a state of migration, is very inquisitive and loves to swim.

Appearance of pilot whale

To constantly be on the move, you need good health and a lot of strength. The dolphin is endowed with all this. Grinda has excellent physical characteristics.

An adult male weighs about 3.5 tons. Females are smaller, weighing about 1.8 tons. The body of males reaches 6 meters in length, in females this figure is less - 4.8 meters.

Such parameters are characteristic of adult individuals, and pilot whales grow up to 20 years of age.

The color of a dolphin's skin varies from dark gray to jet black. The pilot whale's belly and throat have light spots. Most of these mammals have lower dorsal fin there is a large spot of light gray color. A similar spot may be near the eyes. The dorsal fin is crescent shaped. It has very long lateral fins, their length can reach 20% of the body length. The head shape is spherical, although it is said to look more like a melon. It widens at the base and tapers towards the muzzle. The pilot whale has an ideal streamlined body. The mammal reaches speeds of up to 40 km/h and is an excellent swimmer.

Dolphin behavior and nutrition

These dolphins live in schools, the number of which is usually more than 50 individuals. The adult female dominates the pack, despite the fact that the males are larger and stronger. The basis of the diet is cephalopods. They eat fish less often and in much smaller quantities. It searches for food at a depth of 30 to 60 meters. Can dive to depths of up to 600 meters. Like all other species, it can stay under water for no more than 15 minutes.

Reproduction and lifespan

Life expectancy of females natural environment is about 60 years old. Males live much shorter lives; they rarely live past 45 years. The female remains capable of reproduction even at the age of 50 years. The duration of pregnancy is 15 months. One cub is born, its weight is approximately 105 kg, its body reaches 1.8 meters in length. The female feeds the cub with milk for 2 years. Females become sexually mature at 7 years, and males at 12 years.

Number and security

Today, the world's oceans are inhabited by more than 1 million of these dolphins. The size of their population does not cause concern. These mammals are practically not hunted. The exception is the North Atlantic, namely the Faroe Islands, located between Iceland and Scotland. This area belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark. The inhabitants of these islands are descendants of the Vikings, ruthless warriors and formidable invaders. It was the pilot whales that served as the main food for these people.

Catching these dolphins is not difficult. As soon as one individual is caught in the net, it immediately begins to scream, calling on its fellow creatures to the rescue. A flock of pilot whales immediately comes to the rescue, because... There is a very high level of mutual assistance among dolphins. It was near the shore that the Vikings were waiting for these mammals. They killed dolphins with spears, swords, knives, cutting and eating them right on the coast. Despite the fact that hundreds of years have passed, and the current population of the Faroe Islands is a civilized, law-abiding, quiet and peaceful people, that their way of life is radically different from the formidable conquerors, the bloodthirsty tradition is still observed. Poor animals continue to be crushed and brutally killed.

According to the same custom, they first catch one dolphin, who calls the entire pod to the shore with cries for help. Dozens of these mammals are visible near the coast. This immediately changes the people standing in the water, from calm and quiet they become angry and aggressive. They have swords, knives, hooks in their hands and with all these weapons they stab

The Kingdom of Denmark includes the Faroe Islands. Every year there happens an event that is wild by modern standards - mass killing of black dolphins(grind). This tradition developed a long time ago, somewhere in the 10th century.

The horror of the situation is that every year, about 1000 black dolphins, carried away by natural instinct, die at the hands of “civilized” barbarians.

How does the mass killing of dolphins happen (pilot whale)

As soon as pods of trusting dolphins appear on the horizon, the population, notifying each other of the good news, comes running from all corners for the upcoming “solemn” act.

I don’t want to describe the scenes of dolphin torture and the details that accompany this crazy tradition.

It should only be noted that as soon as the animals swim to the shore, the male part of the population enters the water up to their waists and randomly stabs, cuts and tears the unfortunates with special hooks and huge “whale” knives.

Nobody uses the appropriate devices to hunt whales, everything happens the same as many centuries ago. And this is in modern Europe!

Bleeding, dolphins make plaintive sounds. By the way, a third of the flock are pregnant females whose bellies are ripped open.

The entire coast turns red with the blood of shredded animals. The young men help their fathers and brothers in this horrific ritual.

Some readers may think that there is an objective need for this barbarism, meaning food. In fact, this is far from the case. It is worth looking at GDP per capita in Denmark in general, and the Faroe Islands in particular.

Most Faroese consider the pilot whale fishery to be an important part of their culture and history. Note, culture, not a vital necessity!

By the way, various private animal protection organizations regularly contact the Danish authorities with demands to ban the wild tradition. However, there is still no adequate answer, although one can hear inarticulate babble from certain figures about the supposed need to honor the customs of small nations, etc.

The men directly say that this trade allows them to feel like worthy descendants of their ancestors. What can I say!

Below are photos that clearly show how the entire coast turns into a bloody mess. This is not photoshopped, the water actually turns completely red with blood. To view photos, click on the “Photo 18+” button.

Exposing the fake about the mass murder of dolphins in Denmark

On the Internet you can find “refutations” of the fact of the mass killing of black dolphins in Denmark. We will now analyze the so-called “reinforced concrete” arguments.

1. It is alleged that the ritual of inhumane extermination of animals does not take place in Denmark, that is, well-fed Europe, but on semi-wild islands that have almost nothing to do with civilization.

Indeed, this is an autonomous region of the kingdom, but still, whatever one may say, the Faroe Islands are an integral part of Denmark. Therefore, speculation on this topic is not supported by anything.

1. Black dolphins are a concept that does not exist in principle, even in the classification of animals. And they write about the mass killings of dolphins in Denmark only in order to manipulate people’s positive attitude towards dolphins.

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to look into any reference book and read the following: Pilot whales are a genus of mammals from the dolphin family. The question is settled.

1. The main participants in the massacre are boys and teenagers, which is one hundred percent manipulation.

Of course, without adults and strong men young men would not be able to destroy such a number (about 1000 pieces per year) of pilot whales. But it should also be noted that the described ritual is in many ways directly related to the direct initiation of boys into men. Moreover, this is a rather old tradition of the Faroese, which is quite reproduced and honored today.

1. This is not a holiday or a celebration, but an ordinary trade caused by the need to get food for oneself.

The article has already given Interesting Facts, indicating that the inhabitants of the Danish islands themselves directly declare the culture and traditions of their ancestors. Some honestly say: “This is like a sport for us.” That is, such a national pastime. Moreover, if we were talking about a forced measure, then specialized means that are used in whaling could be used.

And so, when bleeding animals fight in agony on the shore, and people covered in blood “up to their ears” run, poke and stab wherever they hit the unfortunate victims - this, excuse me, is some kind of perverted, wild emotional satisfaction, and not hunting fishing

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