The Short-finned Pilot Whale is the warm-water counterpart of the long-finned pilot whale, distinguished by its shorter pectoral fins and preference for tropical and subtropical seas. Large pods of 15 to 30 animals are common, and multiple extended family groups often join temporarily in 'superpods.' Pilot whales have one of the most complex social systems documented in cetaceans.
Best time to see a Short-finned Pilot Whale
The best time to see a Short-finned Pilot Whale is February–July, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 68 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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