Newfoundland and Labrador
Pilot (pothead) whales/Globicéphale noir de l'Atlantique


Pothead/pilot whale: 5 meters; 3 tons

The pilot whale (Globicephala melaena) gets its local name "pothead" from its round pot-shaped head. In late summer and early autumn you may see groups of 20 to 100, so watch for lots of blows together. These toothed whales come to these waters in search of squid, but they also eat fish. Potheads are dark black and have a long curved dorsal fin. Viewing areas include Conception, Trinity and Bonavista Bays (see Newfoundland map). An estimated 50,000 migrate to Newfoundland and Labrador waters from their wintering grounds in the warmer waters in the Gulf Stream off the Grand Banks.

Globicéphale noir de l'Atlantique (Glocicephala melaena)
Taille: Environ 4 m, jusqu'à 6 m
Poids: 800 à 3 000 kg
Mode de vie: Très grégaire
Longévité: 25 à 50 ans
Observations: Régulières dans la partie sud du golfe, rares ailleurs
Notes: Il est connu pour ses échouages collectifs.


Pilot whale found stranded in a shallow Newfoundland bay

Return to Whale Types

---

Web Site Developer Susan Guerrero